A man and woman were killed in a crash involving a wrong-way driver in Los Altos Hills over the weekend. The California Highway Patrol responded to the scene early Saturday morning on Interstate 280 on July 29, 2023.
Bay City News reported that the accident happened around 1:13 a.m. north of El Monte Road. Investigators say that they got calls about a wrong-way driver traveling north in the southbound lanes of 280 just before the crash.
The CHP determined that it was a 2007 Honda Civic heading in the wrong direction when it hit a Toyota Avalon head-on.
A 23-year-old woman was driving the Honda with a 23-year-old male passenger. They were both killed in the collision. Two men in the Toyota endured major injuries in the devastating crash and were rushed to the hospital.
Officers closed all southbound lanes while they investigated what led up to the collision. They are awaiting a toxicology report to determine if the woman in the Honda was driving under the influence.
Los Altos Hills Highway Accident Hazards
Traveling on local interstates is often a dangerous ordeal in Santa Clara County. Traffic on I-280/Junipero Serro Freeway is often backed up, and when it’s not, drivers are often tempted to make reckless decisions. Motorists may reach excessive speeds to lose control and veer into other cars. At night, there’s also an increased chance of drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol merging onto the interstate, and in some cases, going the wrong direction.
In 2022, traffic officials recorded 31 accidents involving injury across Los Altos Hills. At least two people lost their lives in those accidents. Overall, on Interstate 280 through Santa Clara County, there were 295 serious accidents in 2022. At least eight people lost their lives in those tragic freeway accidents.
Collisions happen every day due to common things like normal driver distraction. But driving while impaired is a bad decision that is made long before drivers make it onto local interstates. If an intoxicated motorist instead plans to take an Uber home, or if friends take the keys of someone too drunk to drive, a potential disaster can be avoided.
A note about Los Altos Hills car accidents…
If you or a loved one was the victim of a Santa Clara County collision, you should be aware of the benefits available to you and your family through an insurance claim.
Victims left with a difficult recovery ahead should expect support for every hospital bill for as long as necessary. They must also demand help in replacing the paychecks they may lose while they are unable to work.
You can read more about earning insurance support on my page about car accident claims in Santa Clara County.
