One Dead in Oroville Head-On Crash
A man tragically perished in a head-on collision on Tuesday, September 12 in East Oroville. We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the man who died in this tragic incident.
What Happened?
A man driving a red, early model Volkswagen Beetle westbound on Olive Highway (Highway 162) on Tuesday afternoon collided with a woman heading east along the highway. As she approached the intersection of Highway 162 and Kelly Ridge Road, she merged into the center turn lane to turn left at the light and onto Kelly Ridge Road. The woman, who was driving a gold-colored 1990s model Jeep Grand Cherokee drove out into the intersection and started making a left turn at the same time the Volkswagen Beetle passed through the intersection, continuing west. The two cars collided head-on, at a slight angle.
The increased height of the Jeep Grand Cherokee combined with the low profile of the Beetle had fatal results as the engine bay of the Jeep crashed through the hood and front cargo space of the rear-engine Volkswagen and directly into the driver’s side A-pillar. The frame was crumpled and A-pillar caved in over the driver’s seat causing fatal injuries to the driver of the VW. Firefighters and Police responded to the scene and tended to the victims. The driver of the Jeep was transported to a nearby hospital with unspecified injuries. Rescuers also reported a child buckled into a children’s car seat in the back seat of the Cherokee, the child did not appear to have sustained any injuries in the accident.
How Did This Happen?
California Highway Patrol Sergeant Cliff Morrison and other officers on the scene questioned witnesses and the driver of the Jeep about what happened. The driver of the Jeep claimed that she had the right-of-way during a green left-turn arrow which would mean that the driver of the Beetle ran a red light at the intersection of the crash. Other witnesses questioned by the police seemed to tell a different story as reports state that the Jeep had turned left on a red light, crossing into oncoming traffic that had a green light. CHP officers are working to determine fault while the investigation continues.
Possible Injuries
Head-on collisions are extremely dangerous because of the speed at which both cars are traveling at the time of the accident are in opposite directions so the forces involved can be double the magnitude. The woman in the Grand Cherokee most likely suffered major bruising from the seatbelt, soreness from the airbags, and possible broken bones. Bennet’s Fracture is a break at the base of the thumb that is a result of the thumb being extended too far from the rest of the hand. It is common in car accidents if the driver is holding onto the steering wheel loosely and the thumb is wrapped around the inside of the wheel at the time of impact.
The major injuries that took the life of the man in the Volkswagen could have been any number of things. Severe head trauma causing bleeding or hemorrhaging in the brain could be fatal. The collapse of the front of the car could have pushed the steering wheel into the chest of the victim causing broken ribs to puncture the heart, lungs, or other organs. Fractured bones could have also severed major arteries causing unstoppable bleeding. A combination of these injuries can cause death within seconds.
Other Related Articles by Oroville Wrongful Death Attorney Ed Smith:
- Woman Hospitalized after Corning Crash
- 2 Pedestrians Injured in Hit-and-Run
- Motorcycle Rider Dies in Crash with Bull
Oroville Wrongful Death Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, an Oroville Wrongful Death Attorney. Our hearts reach out to the people involved and affected by this tragic accident. If someone you love has been killed in an accident, please call me at (530) 392-9400 or toll-free (800) 404-5400 for compassionate, free, and friendly advice with no obligation. I can also be reached online.
I have been helping people from Oroville and Northern California get the restitution they deserve after the wrongful death of a loved one or personal injury for 35 years.
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Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons, VW Kafer by Sven Storbeck. CC BY-SA 3.0
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