Grass Valley Woman Killed
On the afternoon of Friday, September 17, 2021, a 34-year-old Grass Valley woman was killed in a car crash on Brunswick Road in Grass Valley.
Details of the Fatal Crash
The three-vehicle collision involved a sedan, a minivan, and a Honda. It happened at around 5 p.m. on Friday.
The deceased woman has been identified as 34-year-old Kimberly Lumpkins, a resident of Grass Valley. She was killed when her Plymouth Voyager minivan sideswiped one vehicle, then struck a third vehicle head-on. She had been driving north on Brunswick Road when her vehicle crossed into the southbound lanes in the vicinity of Brunswick Pines Road. At that time, her Voyager sideswiped a Nissan Versa, then crashed head-on into a Honda Pilot, according to a representative from the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The Nissan Versa was being driven by a 27-year-old man from Auburn. He sustained injuries that were reported to be relatively minor. The driver of the Honda Pilot, a 37-year-old man from Grass Valley, suffered major injuries in the head-on crash.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes occur when a motorist crosses over the center line at the same time another driver is approaching from the opposite direction. They also occur when drivers enter a freeway off-ramp and drive in the wrong direction. The number of deadly head-on crashes has risen in recent years.
Avoiding an Oncoming Vehicle
If you see an oncoming vehicle drifting into your lane, there are some steps you can take, if there is time, to avoid a collision:
- Take your foot off the gas and apply the brakes.
- Steer to the right of the approaching vehicle.
- Engage your horn and flash your headlights.
- Steer toward any clear area, such as the shoulder. If you have nowhere else to go, drive off the road.
- Do not swerve to the left because if the other driver realizes that they are off course, they may swerve back into their lane and into your vehicle.
What Can Cause a Head-On Crash
Below are some factors that can lead to head-on crashes:
- Impaired driving. Many head-on crashes are caused by drunk or drug-impaired drivers drifting over the lane lines, or entering a roadway in the wrong direction.
- Drowsy driving. Driving while fatigued can be almost as dangerous as impaired driving, and mistakes such as drifting into the wrong lane are common.
- Excessive speed. When someone is driving too fast for conditions, they can lose control of their vehicle, and veer into traffic.
- Illegal passing maneuvers. A driver who ignores the solid double lines in order to illegally pass can cause a head-on collision.
- Obstacles in the road. A driver may swerve to avoid an animal or other obstacle in the road and could cause a crash with an oncoming vehicle.
Watch the YouTube video. Below is a clip instructing safe passing on a two-lane road.
Preventing Head-On Crashes
We cannot control everyone else on the road with us, but there are things we can do when we are driving to lower the risk of being involved in a head-on collision.
- Slow down. Even if you cannot avoid a crash, the forces of impact will be less at lower speeds.
- Always be alert. Continually scan the landscape, and be especially aware of the surroundings on two-lane roads.
- Use particular care when passing. Do not attempt to pass unless you have at least 200 feet to safely do so.
- Never drink and drive, and don’t drive while you are tired.
Grass Valley Personal Injury Lawyer
Thank you for reading. I’m Ed Smith, a Grass Valley personal injury attorney. Every day in Northern California, car crashes occur that result in injuries and wrongful deaths. If you or a family member has been injured in a car crash that was caused by another motorist’s recklessness, get in touch with our experienced injury lawyers. To receive compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice, call us at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400.
Photo: by Skitterphoto on Pixabay
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