A three-vehicle crash in Monterey County claimed the life of one driver and left another driver in the hospital early Friday morning. The California Highway Patrol says the terrible accident occurred northwest of Salinas on State Route 183/Castroville Road on June 3, 2022.
KION-TV reports it took place around 4:30 a.m. just north of San Jon Road. Investigators say the northbound driver of a Ford Edge SUV crossed over a broken yellow line into the southbound lanes for an unknown reason. The SUV then struck a Lincoln Continental. The Lincoln then went on to crash into a Farm Labor Bus.
The driver in the Lincoln, a 74-year-old victim from Castroville, was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the Ford SUV, a 47-year-old woman from Holtville, was taken to a local hospital with what were described as major injuries. The driver of the bus did not suffer any injuries.
The CHP doesn’t think drugs or alcohol were factors in the devastating crash. They continue their investigation.
Highway Accident Dangers in Monterey County
Two-lane highways across farm country in Monterey County can be dangerous places. Those long straightaways allow drivers to build their speeds, sometimes without realizing it. The endless sight of crops and fields might also lure drivers into a less than focused state.
A distracted or inattentive driver could veer across a yellow line and not catch the mistake until it’s too late. These accidents occur too often in Monterey County, and they take a terrible toll on victims and their families.
California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) recorded 1,584 traffic accidents across Monterey County involving injuries or fatalities in 2021. They found that right around a third of those collisions occurred on state highways.
These crashes affect victims and the community at large. It’s important to make sure every driver understands how much of a difference a little extra attention on the lanes ahead could make.
A word about Monterey County car accidents…
If you or a loved one has been the victim in a collision in Monterey County, you should be aware of the benefits available to you and your family through an insurance claim. Financial support should at least be expected to help with every hospital bill and the income victims miss while forced to be away from their jobs.
You can read more about these cases on my page about car accident claims in Monterey County.
