Fatal Solo Vehicle Crash at Berkeley Marina
On Wednesday night, November 3, 2021, a man was killed when his vehicle plunged into the water at the Berkeley Marina. Investigators believe the man may have been speeding and that the vehicle first crashed into a tree or trees before ending up in the water.
The deceased was later identified by the Alameda County Coroner’s Office as a 58-year-old San Anselmo resident.
Details of the Berkeley Marina Incident
Calls came in reporting the crash at around 7:43 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Witnesses said that the vehicle was traveling west on University Avenue when it may have struck some trees in the vicinity of Marina Boulevard and University Avenue before plunging into the water at the marina. Some witness reports indicated that the vehicle may have been traveling at 100 miles per hour or faster before it struck the tree(s).
What First Responders Found
Personnel from the Berkeley Fire Department arrived at the scene and found the driver inside the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle contained no other occupants. It is unclear to investigators at this time why the man was in the Berkeley area.
Continuing Investigation
Police believe that excessive speed was a factor in this incident, and they are continuing their investigation. They request that anyone who has additional information call Berkeley Police at (510) 981-5980.
Watch the YouTube video. While it sounds as though the driver in this recent incident may have already been incapacitated, the video below offers tips for escaping a vehicle that has plunged into a body of water.
The Dangers of Excessive Speed
According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding is a primary factor for approximately one third of all traffic fatalities. It ranks alongside impaired driving and distracted driving as main causes of collisions.
Here are some reasons why speeding is so dangerous:
- The driver is more likely to lose control of the vehicle at high speeds.
- It is more difficult to stop quickly or make quick corrections.
- The safety features of the vehicle, such as seat belts and airbags, are not as effective in crashes that occur at high speeds.
- Vehicle occupants are much more likely to sustain severe, even fatal injuries in a high-speed collision.
- Speeding drivers have a tendency to engage in other risky driving behaviors, like not wearing a seatbelt.
- Science will tell you – the faster the vehicle, the more force involved in a collision.
What to Do if you Witness a Speeding Driver
As we travel the highways, we may notice dangerous driving behavior around us and wonder what we should do. Here are some steps to take if you see a vehicle traveling at excessive, unsafe speeds:
- Stay out of the left (“fast”) lane. Carefully change lanes and allow the speeding driver to pass.
- Keep a wide berth from speeding drivers. They could cause an accident and you will need time to react.
- If you are being tailgated by a speeding, aggressive driver, move out of the way as soon as it is safe do so.
- If the driver’s behavior is actively dangerous to others, call the police.
Berkeley Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thanks for visiting our legal blog and our report on this recent tragedy at the Berkeley Marina. I’m Ed Smith, a Berkeley personal injury lawyer. Not enough facts are known to definitively say what caused this fatal incident, but it sounds as though excess speed was a factor. While no one but the driver was hurt in this incident, that is not always the case. Reckless and negligent driving causes injurious accidents and wrongful deaths every day in Northern California. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident caused by a careless motorist, please don’t hesitate to contact our skilled injury attorneys for compassionate, free, and friendly advice. Our telephone number is (510) 631-0200. We also offer a toll-free line for callers outside the local area code: (800) 404-5400.
Photo: by David Monje via Pixabay
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