Deadly Three-Car Crash on Highway 99
On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, A 93-year-old woman from Yuba City lost her life in a three-car crash on Highway 99 in Sutter County.
Details of the Deadly Three-Car Crash
According to reports from the Yuba-Sutter Area Office of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash site was Stewart Road. At approximately 9:30 a.m., the elderly woman was driving south on Highway 99 in a 2018 Toyota. She entered the turn lane, intending to go left on Stewart Road. At the same time, a 24-year-old woman from Sacramento was driving north on Highway 99 in a 2016 Mazda. The younger woman was in the number two lane, south of the intersection with Stewart Road. The third involved party was a 27-year-old man from Sacramento who was also traveling north on Highway 99. He was driving a 2005 Lexus and was slightly behind and to the left of the Mazda. The 93-year-old woman in the Toyota began her left-hand turn onto Stewart without yielding to oncoming vehicles. She turned directly into the path of the Mazda and the Lexus.
The Mazda crashed nearly head-on with the turning Toyota, which sent the Toyota into a spin, at which time it impacted the right rear of the Lexus as its driver was attempting to take evasive action.
Condition of the Involved Parties
Both the elderly woman in the Toyota and the younger woman in the Mazda were transported by ambulance to Adventist Health/Rideout Hospital. Later that evening, the elderly woman sadly succumbed to her injuries. The Mazda driver was being treated for injuries described as moderate, according to the CHP. The driver of the Lexus did not require transport to a hospital.
Investigation Into the Three-Car Crash Continues
There was no indication that alcohol or drugs played a role in this multi-vehicle crash. All three involved drivers had been wearing their seat belts. The investigation is currently ongoing, and the identity of the 93-year-old deceased driver has yet to be released.
What the CDC Says About Older Drivers
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2000 and 2018, there was a sixty percent increase in the number of licensed drivers that were aged 65 or older. That equates to more than 45 million older drivers in the United States. Driving allows older adults to remain independent and mobile, however, the risk of injuries or fatalities in traffic accidents does increase as drivers age.
Statistics Regarding Older Drivers
In 2018, nearly 7,700 adults aged 65+ were killed in auto accidents, and upwards of 250,000 received emergency room treatment for car crash injuries. Those numbers translate into more than 20 traffic incident fatalities of older adults per day and close to 700 injuries.
Older Drivers Are at Greater Risk
Drivers that are older than 75 have higher crash fatality rates than drivers of middle-age (35-54). The higher death rates are largely due to their increased vulnerability to injury.
Watch the YouTube video. It can be very difficult to make the decision that it is time to stop driving due to advanced age. The clip below, from PBS, examines the complex issue.
Preventing Death and Injuries in Older Drivers
As we age, we often experience declines in cognitive functioning and vision along with other physical changes that may affect driving abilities. Keeping those potential declines in mind, there are certain things that can be done to prevent injuries and fatalities in older drivers.
- Whether you are a driver or a passenger, always properly fasten your seat belt. Seat belt use among all age groups saves lives.
- Choose the safest time of day to drive – during daylight hours and when traffic is lightest. Poor weather and darkness increase the risk of being involved in a crash.
- Refrain from driving on unfamiliar roads, if possible.
- Never drink and drive, and do not drive after taking medication that affects cognition, coordination, or judgment.
Yuba City Personal Injury Lawyers
Thanks for visiting our legal blog and reading about this tragic three-car crash in Sutter County. I’m Ed Smith, a Yuba City personal injury attorney. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a collision that was the result of another driver’s negligent actions, call us for free and friendly legal advice. In addition to personal injury cases, we compassionately and expertly advocate for grieving families in wrongful death matters. Reach out to us at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400, or send your inquiry online.
Photo: by David Monje via Unsplash
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