The Los Angeles Times reports that a fatal accident involving 10 vehicles occurred in Newport Beach on Saturday, January 15 at about 2:40 p.m. The crash claimed the lives of three people, including a former Stanford University female track star.
The fatal crash began when a Ford Taurus, driven by the former track star, swerved into the opposing lanes of traffic on the Pacific Coast Highway, struck a Toyota Prius and a Taurus, then a Nissan Titan pickup truck and sideswiped a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. The driver of the Tacoma as well as his passenger died in the fatal crash. After hitting the Tacoma, the woman’s vehicle flipped into the air and landed in a turn lane, hitting several other vehicles, including a motorcycle. The motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries but is expected to recover. Two other people involved in the car accident suffered minor injuries and were treated at another nearby hospital.
According to a preliminary investigation by Newport Beach police, the female driver of the Ford Taurus is believed to have been “excessively speeding” at the time of the crash. However, police have yet to determine whether alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident, or whether the woman became distracted before swerving into traffic.
Multiple-vehicle accidents are complex, and can leave injured victims or family members of those killed in these kinds of collisions unsure of the next course of action. A Newport Beach car accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options. At Panish Shea & Boyle LLP, our California personal injury lawyers have dedicated our practice to helping those who have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident caused by another person’s negligence. Call 1-877-800-1700 today for a free consultation.
