Crash Kills Two, Four Eureka Residents Rescued
I’m Ed Smith, a Eureka personal injury lawyer. On Friday, May 26, 2017, four Eureka residents and a resident of Fortuna were saved by a passerby after being involved in a fatal, fiery car accident on Highway 101.
Accident Details
According to information from a press statement released by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the accident occurred at around 12:30 p.m. a few miles north of Reynolds Highway in Mendocino County. Reportedly, a Ford Bronco had been driving north on 101 when it, for reasons unknown, veered left, crossing the double yellow line in the median, and striking a Dodge Ram truck head-on.
Saved by a Passerby
Immediately after the collision occurred, a passing driver and Eureka resident stopped and left his vehicle in order to offer help to those involved in the crash. After the man exited his vehicle, he saw the Dodge catch fire and rushed to rescue the occupants of the vehicle.
The man was able to save all five passengers of the vehicle, including a 43-year-old woman, a 24-year-old male, a 19-year-old woman, and two children aged 7 and 1. Aside from the seven-year-old, who was a resident of Fortuna, all passenger were Eureka residents.
Medical Treatment
All five of the passengers sustained injuries and were transported by ambulance to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and the Howard Memorial Hospital for treatment. The three adults saved from the Dodge Ram were reported by CHP to have sustained major injuries in the collision. The exact nature of their injuries and details about their ongoing recovery have not been reported by medical officials.
Lives Lost
Tragically, according to the report from CHP, the drivers of both vehicles were trapped inside their vehicles and could not be removed before the vehicles were engulfed in flames and both drivers lost their lives. The identities of the victims are currently being withheld until next of kin are notified.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims of this tragic accident.
Causal Factors
CHP is conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident and have stated that they believe the use of alcohol and/or drugs may have played a part in causing the tragic accident. CHP is yet to report what other factors they believe may have contributed to the collision.
DUI
This accident serves as a grim reminder that driving under the influence of intoxicating substances isn’t only illegal, but incredibly dangerous and can cost innocent drivers, passengers, and pedestrians their lives. With DUI to blame for almost one-third of accident deaths in the U.S., drivers should be both diligent about having safe, sober transportation and being cautious of other drivers on the road, especially at night.
Eureka Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Eureka personal injury lawyer. Car crashes often leave victims with serious injuries. If a car accident has seriously hurt you or somebody important to you, please contact me at (707) 564-1900 for friendly advice. It costs nothing to call and receive a phone consultation. If you live elsewhere, you can call my toll-free line, (800) 404-5400.
Since 1982, I have been helping families and individuals in the Eureka area to recover what they are rightly owed in their claims involving wrongful death and personal injury.
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I’m a California member of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This forum is for highly rated United States trial lawyers who’ve won verdicts or reached settlements with a value of over $1 million.
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I’m the proud founder of AutoAccident.com, Northern California’s number one website for up-to-date, useful information on personal injury and car accidents.
Image attribution: Wikimedia Commons
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