Authorities responded to a fatal car accident on Highway 101 in California. The accident occurred around 8 p.m. after a vehicle was hit on the shoulder of the highway. It took place on the northbound side of 101, south of Santa Barbara Road.
Berenice Cortez Pineda was traveling with four other people when she decided to pull onto the shoulder by the Santa Barbara off-ramp. Felipe Gonzalez was driving at a high speed when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with the rear of Pineda’s car. The heavy impact caused her car to launch forward and spin counter-clockwise.
Two passengers in Pineda’s vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names are Celene Reducindo and Mary Hernandez. The driver and the other two individuals were taken to the hospital with major injuries. One of the individuals was 3 years old.
Gonzalez was arrested by authorities and taken to a hospital to recover from his minor injuries. The accident is still under investigation, but it has been determined that alcohol was a factor in the accident.
Investigators have not identified the reason that Pineda pulled over onto the shoulder, but the initial report states that her vehicle was on fire and smoking.
There was a lane closure following the crash and the highway reopened around midnight.
What to do when you are injured in an accident in California
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, it is critical to know your rights and how to move forward with your case. It is important to get in contact with an attorney that is qualified for your case as soon as possible. Learn more about your rights and entitlements by visiting the Accident Injury Legal Center.
Call the Accident Injury Legal Center at 1-866-255-4870.
Resource
San Luis Obispo. (2022, April 17). 2 people killed, 4 injured in Highway 101 crash near Santa Margarita. MSN. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/2-people-killed-4-injured-in-highway-101-crash-near-santa-margarita/ar-AAWjMWe