Just before 7:00 am, a single vehicle driving on I-805 north lost control and crashed into the concrete base of the H Street, E Street, and Bonita Road exit sign.
All three passengers were males from other parts of California. The driver was a 24-year-old male from Oakland, driving a white Toyota Camry rental car from Los Angeles.
One passenger, a 23-year-old from Newark, California died in the crash. When firefighters arrived, good samaritans had already pulled him out of the vehicle along with one other victim. Firefighters had to cut the vehicle apart to remove the third victim.
The two surviving victims suffered major injuries and were transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital for treatment and underwent surgery.
Due to the accident, California Highway Patrol shut down two lanes of the 805 North causing traffic to build up in morning rush hour. All lanes were re-opened by 9 am.
CHP does not believe drugs or alcohol to be contributing factors to the accident. They will continue to investigate the cause of the accident, and ask that any witnesses come forward.
Common Causes of Single Vehicle Accidents
“Single-vehicle accidents on the freeway are relatively common on California freeways and there are many factors that can contribute to causing them,” says Brett Schreiber, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “Even though these types of accidents only involve one vehicle, they can still cause serious injuries and significant property damage, and may also result in fatalities.”
Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted Driving – engaging in activities such as texting, talking on the phone, using GPS, or adjusting the radio or car settings can take the driver’s attention away from the road.
- Speeding – driving over the posted speed limit, especially on the freeway where speed is already high, can reduce available reaction time and may make it difficult to control the vehicle when navigating curves or encountering obstacles in the road.
- Fatigue – driving while drowsy can make it hard for the driver to focus and they may fall asleep at the wheel and cause an accident.
- Overcorrection – if the driver must suddenly veer in one direction to avoid an obstacle they are more likely to lose control of the vehicle, which can result in a rollover accident or cause them to collide with barriers.
- Poor Road Maintenance – if roads are not properly maintained and have potholes, uneven surfaces, or even loose gravel, these factors may cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident.
- Debris on the Road – objects like tire treads, branches, or furniture dropped from trucks are on the road, drivers may have to swerve to avoid them and thus may lose control.
- Vehicle Malfunctions – situations such as tire blowouts, brake failure, or steering problems can cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle and may lead to a crash.
- Adverse Weather Conditions– adverse weather, like fog or rain, can make visibility low and reduce tire traction.
- Health Emergencies – if a driver experiences a health emergency such as a seizure or heart attack, they may lose control of the vehicle.
If you have lost a loved one in a single-vehicle accident, or you’ve been injured in one, you may have legal recourse.
“This situation is heartbreaking,” says Schreiber, “we hope that the two surviving victims pull through and are able to help officials get to the bottom of what caused the accident.”
Contact the team at Singleton Schreiber today for a free consultation. Call us at (619) 771-3473 or email us at info@singletonschreiber.com to get started today.
