San Jose, CA – The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victims of a wrong-way crash on Highway 85 as 47-year-old Rebecca Joanne Olsen and her 14-year-old son, both residents of San Jose, according to NBC Bay Area.
The accident occurred on Monday afternoon, August 26, 2024, and claimed the lives of both mother and son. Her coworkers described Rebecca Olsen as a dedicated professional who worked remotely for an overseas company.
The crash unfolded around 3:40 PM near the Highway 87 split and Santa Teresa Boulevard, a busy area known for heavy traffic during the late afternoon. Olsen was driving a Tesla Model Y northbound on Highway 85 when her vehicle was struck head-on by a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck speeding in the wrong direction. The driver of the pickup, identified as 39-year-old Duncan McQuarrie of Orlando, Florida, was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes.
Olsen and her son were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities reported that Olsen had just left work to pick up her son, a freshman at Summit Tahoma High School in San Jose. The school has since confirmed the young man’s identity in a message to students and staff, offering counseling services to those struggling to cope with the loss of their classmate.
As for McQuarrie, he was transported to a hospital with major injuries and remains under guard. His past legal troubles include citations for driving without a license earlier this year, possession of cocaine in 2021, and a drunk driving incident in 2013.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and it is not yet known if drugs or alcohol played a role.
Wrongful Death Claims
Whether or not a collision results in criminal charges for any of those involved, families who have lost a loved one in a fatal collision may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver.
The compensation provided by a Wrongful Death claim can relieve the financial burdens created by medical expenses, burial costs, and the loss of income needed to support the deceased’s dependents.
Insurance companies will work to reduce any claim they cannot deny. This is where the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney proves invaluable, negotiating on behalf of victims and their families to ensure they receive proper compensation.
California DUI Law
Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”
