San Francisco Wrong-Way Crash Kills 2 on Northbound 101
A San Francisco wrong-way crash occurred in the early hours of February 3 that resulted in two fatalities and nine injuries. According to a report by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Kayla Wilson, age 21 and a San Jose resident, drove her red Volkswagen the wrong way at the Vermont Street exit onto Northbound 101 at around 2:30 a.m. She then crashed into two vehicles before striking a van head-on near the off-ramp for Alemany Boulevard. The CHP reported that Wilson was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was ejected from her vehicle and died. It has not been reported whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident. I want to extend my sympathy and prayers to those who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident.
Additional Information on the San Francisco Wrong-Way Crash
The driver of the van that was struck head-on died as a result of this San Francisco wrong-way crash. He was identified as Waheedullah Etimad, an Afghani immigrant, aged 40. He was an Uber driver transporting six passengers at the time. Etimad, married and the father of seven children, had come to the United States from Afghanistan in 2015. He had worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan as a translator. He decided to move to the United States following an attack by the Taliban where he was shot five times. Etimad worked full-time for Uber while attending classes at Diablo Valley College to study computer science. A GoFundMe site was established to assist Etimad’s family.
Injuries in the Collision
Dena Romios, who was one of the nine individuals injured, works at Power Muse Productions and is a concert promoter. She said two of the concert production staff members and four others had eaten in Redwood City at a restaurant and called for an Uber. She reported that of the six passengers in the van, two were released from Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, while the other four are in stable condition, although their injuries range from critical to moderate. Firefighters were required to use the jaws of life to extricate those who were riding in the van.
Wrong Way Drivers
A San Francisco wrong way crash can happen for a variety of reasons. The cause usually involves driver error. Some of the more common reasons are:
- Ramps that are poorly marked or designed: While a driver is obligated to take extra care when driving at all times, on occasion, road defects can be the causative factor in a crash. If the ramps are poorly marked, the city or state agency in charge could be held liable. This involves filing a claim against a government agency. The time limits to file such a claim are different from others. If the claim is not filed in time, the case may not be heard. Your attorney will be able to advise you about this.
- Driver impairment: Drugs or alcohol can impair a driver’s cognitive abilities, leading to a San Francisco wrong-way crash. This is the chief reason such accidents happen.
- Poor visibility: When fog or rain makes it difficult to see ramp signs, it is possible to make a wrong decision when entering the highway. Drivers are obligated to operate their vehicle at a slower speed and with greater care in inclement weather.
- Distracted drivers: Drivers who are engaging in another activity such as texting are more likely to have a San Francisco wrong-way crash. It is important to keep one’s focus on the road when driving.
- Unfamiliar roads: When a driver is unfamiliar with the road, it is more likely they will have a wrong way crash. Checking on the route before driving is a good idea.
- Drowsy drivers: When drivers are tired, they may nod off at the wheel.
How an Attorney Can Help
After a wrongful death accident or one resulting in serious injuries such as a traumatic brain injury, an experienced lawyer can help the decedent’s family or an injured person get the financial compensation they need. In this way, the family can cover the financial loss associated with the person’s death, while the injured person can recover the monetary means to pay their medical bills, lost wages and other costs.
San Francisco Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a San Francisco Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer. Traumatic brain injuries often occur as a result of a head-on collision. If this happened to you or a loved one, I would like to offer you free and friendly advice. You can reach me at (415) 805-7284 or through my toll-free line at (800) 404-5400. In addition, on my website at AutoAccident.com, I offer an online contact form.
I’m a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. This is an invitation-only group that recognizes fewer than one percent of lawyers, who they deem have upheld the highest legal standards. In addition, I belong to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which recognizes trial attorneys who have obtained more than $1 million for a previous client.
During my 37-year practice as an injury lawyer, I’ve defended the rights of many residents of San Francisco and other Northern Californians in obtaining just compensation for all types of motor vehicles accidents, wrongful deaths, and traumatic brain injuries.
It can be a hard decision deciding which personal injury lawyer to call when you need advice. To help, I have included links to my clients’ reviews of my practice as well as information on some of our prior cases and how they concluded at:
Photo attribution: by paulette quiba on Pixabay.com
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