A devastating two-vehicle crash in central Fresno left two people hurt with one victim trapped underneath a vehicle, making for a tense rescue. The accident happened Monday afternoon around 1 p.m. on February 8, 2021.
ABC30-TV reports the collision occurred when a van traveling east along North Clinton Avenue near the intersection of Van Ness Boulevard struck a Mini Cooper. Police say the vehicles ended up in a front yard of a home.
When emergency crews arrived one man was pinned underneath a vehicle and had to be rescued. He was taken to the hospital. The driver of the Mini Cooper was also transported to the hospital with injuries.
Police indicated the driver of the van tried to run away from the scene but was quickly apprehended. Police say they were responding to reports of a reckless driver in the area shortly before the crash with the description matching the van and the driver.
ABC30-TV talked to Fresno Police Officer Felipe Uribe about what might have caused the crash. “There is a possibility that due to reckless driving he might have run a red light, but that’s still being investigated.”
Investigators haven’t said if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.
Intersection Accident Dangers in Central Fresno
Drivers can make bad decisions on the road, and intersections can be especially dangerous places for those bad decisions because they bring so much traffic from different directions together. Intersections work when people obey the right of ways and only go when it’s their turn. A distracted driver or someone behaving recklessly for whatever reason can put innocent drivers in danger when they ignore these traffic laws.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) finds that over half of all accidents in the nation each year occur in or near intersections. They can be dangerous places for drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and anyone on a bicycle, especially when drivers become distracted or simply choose to ignore the safety of others as they approach a crossroads.
In 2019, Fresno authorities recorded 27 accidents involving someone not observing a traffic light or traffic sign. Those accidents resulted in a tragic three people killed for the year and left 38 victims suffering injuries.
Better designs for intersections and their traffic light patterns can help keep everyone using Fresno streets safer. But the biggest safety upgrade will come when careless drivers start to pay more attention as they travel and pay more caution to other drivers, riders and pedestrians on the road.
Seeking Legal Advice After an Intersection Accident in Fresno
After a serious accident, victims can’t always trust insurance companies for at-fault drivers to do the right thing. In fact, insurance agents are generally working to block victims from getting the money they need to cover medical expenses and to simply pay monthly bills while they are out of work with an injury.
If you or a family member is ever involved in a serious crash be sure to speak to an attorney in your area. You can visit our page about car accidents in Fresno for more information.
