Two vehicles collided in an intersection in southwest Calaveras County on Sunday afternoon, sending six people to the hospital. The devastating accident occurred at the intersection of O’Byrnes Ferry Road and Highway 4 on August 8, 2021.
The Calaveras Enterprise reported the collision took place around 2:45 p.m. in Copperopolis when the driver of a Toyota Avalon traveling northbound on O’Byrnes Ferry entered the intersection. The California Highway Patrol says the Toyota ended up directly in the path of a Ford Pickup. The front of the pickup truck struck the right side of the Toyota, sending both vehicles out of control.
A passenger in the pickup, a 63-year-old victim from Modesto, suffered major injuries and was rushed to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. The driver of the pickup, a 47-year-old man from Modesto was taken to Modesto Memorial with less serious injuries.
The 22-year-old from Elk Grove driving the Toyota and a 21-year-old passenger from Sacramento were also taken to Modesto Memorial with moderate injuries. Two other passengers, a 24-year-old and a 27-year-old, both from Elk Grove, were rushed to Doctors Medical Center with major injuries.
California Highway Patrol Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident.
Intersection Traffic Dangers in Copperopolis
Intersections across Calaveras County provide a dangerous backdrop for vehicle accidents each year. A crossroads brings traffic from different directions together and requires the full attention of all travelers. Drivers are left to trust that other motorists entering an intersection are following the same rules they are.
When one driver becomes careless and perhaps gives too little attention to check every direction for approaching cars, vehicles in all directions are put at risk.
The emergency responders serving Calaveras County see the mistakes made on local roads and their consequences every week. The California Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) found that in 2020 there were 200 vehicle collisions reported in the county. Those accidents led to 270 injuries and a tragic nine deaths. 12% of those accidents reported were listed as involving intersections.
Drivers must strive to take more than a fleeting glance in every direction before entering a roadway. They must also make sure they know the rules that govern every sort of intersection, from those with traffic lights, four-way stop signs, and two-way stop signs. With a little more attention to these safety guidelines, more people can complete their journeys and get home safely.
Finding Support for Accident Victims in Copperopolis
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 prevent victims from getting all of the support 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 the victim of a serious crash, be sure to speak to an attorney in your area. You can visit our page about car accidents in Calaveras County for more information.