Two Lives Lost on SR 99E
On the morning of Sunday, August 22, 2021, a 59-year-old man from Hayward and a 54-year old woman from Oroville were killed in a multi-vehicle crash that occurred just north of the city of Los Molinos on State Route 99E.
Details of the Los Molinos Incident
According to a press release put out by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a Hayward man was at the wheel of a 2009 Ford Focus. At approximately 7:35 a.m., he was traveling north on SR 99R near Butler Street at the same time as a 39-year old man from Anderson was driving south on the same roadway in a 2019 Isuzu. Behind the Subaru was a woman driving a 2007 Nissan Sentra.
For reasons that are still being investigated, the Ford Focus crossed into the southbound lane, directly into the Isuzu’s path. The Izusu’s driver tried to avoid the collision by moving toward the shoulder, but the Ford crashed into the left side of the Isuzu. After that initial collision, the Ford continued to move north in the southbound lane until it collided head-on with the Nissan Sentra.
Sadly, the drivers of the Nissan and the Ford suffered fatal injuries in that head-on impact. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities have not yet been released pending notification of their families.
The two occupants of the Isuzu, both Red Bluff residents, were uninjured.
Unavoidable Head-On Collisions
Frighteningly, no matter how experienced a driver you are, some collisions are unavoidable. Head-on crashes are uniquely terrifying because they are more likely to cause major injuries and fatalities. They are also the primary category of unavoidable collisions because there is very little time to react to a vehicle traveling toward you from the opposite direction. When faced with an unavoidable crash, there are a few things you may be able to do (if you have time) to help lessen the damage.
Watch the YouTube video. Below is a clip from the 70s discussing the dangers of head-on collisions.
What to do in Advance of an Unavoidable Crash
In the split second after noticing a wrong-way driver coming toward you, the first thing to do is obviously to try to get out of the way. Veer to the right as far as possible, toward the road’s shoulder. It is usually much better to take a sideswipe than a full head-on impact. There is always the possibility that moving will place you in a worse position with regard to passenger compartment intrusion, but it is likely impossible to avoid making an instinctual evasive movement in the short time you have before impact. Taking your foot off the brake may lessen the impact. The slower the vehicles are traveling, the less force will be present during the crash. If you can, brace for impact by facing straight ahead and pressing your head and back firmly against the seat.
Because of the violent impact involved with head-on collisions, even if you appear to have escaped major injuries, you should always seek immediate medical attention after such a crash.
Consult with an Experienced Injury Attorney
While a wrong-way driver case may seem cut and dry, legal complexities may exist. There will likely be an insurance company involved that either tries to assign fault to you or downplay your injuries and damages. A skilled attorney will gather the right evidence and fully document your losses in order to ensure that you receive fair compensation. It is best to consult with an attorney soon after the incident in order to protect your legal rights.
Chico Wrongful Death Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading. I’m Ed Smith, a Chico wrongful death lawyer. We are always saddened by reports of local traffic fatalities such as these that occurred in Los Molinos. Following such incidents, grieving families often discover that the sudden and unexpected death brought about financial difficulties. Our skilled injury lawyers can help. Call us at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free, and friendly advice.
Photo: pixabay
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