A wrong-way driver on the 91 freeway caused a head-on collision early Monday morning that killed two people.First of all, you have a 21-year old college student who has just ruined her life by driving drunk. Being the father of a college student who will turn 21 this week, that part of the story really hits home.
The driver, 21-year-old Jessica Shekell of Fullerton, is suspected of drunken driving, authorities said.
Shekell’s 2003 Toyota Tacoma was going west in the eastbound FasTrak lanes of the 91 freeway when it crashed into a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado just east of the 55 freeway around 3 a.m., killing two members of the Miguel family of San Bernardino, said Officer Denise Quesada of California Highway Patrol.
The Silverado's driver, Sally Miguel, 44, was pronounced dead at the scene, and Patricia Miguel, 30, who was riding in the front seat, died after she was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana.
Their two nieces, ages 15 and 11, were taken to Western Medical Center and UCI Medical Center in Orange for treatment of their injuries. The 11-year-old’s injuries were described as major, and her sister’s injuries described as moderate.
Of the five people in the accident, Shekell was the only one wearing a seatbelt, the CHP reported.
However, at least she still has a life to live, however bad her future may look.
As tragic as that situation is, the fact that nobody in the other car was wearing a seatbelt is such a needless waste of life. A Silverado is a big vehicle - roughly equivalent to the size of the Tacoma. Chances are the occupants in the car would have escaped with their lives had they been wearing seatbelts.
There are things you can't always avoid in this world, like being hit by a drunk driver. But you can avoid driving without your seatbelt on.
As tragic as that situation is, the fact that nobody in the other car was wearing a seatbelt is such a needless waste of life. A Silverado is a big vehicle - roughly equivalent to the size of the Tacoma. Chances are the occupants in the car would have escaped with their lives had they been wearing seatbelts.
There are things you can't always avoid in this world, like being hit by a drunk driver. But you can avoid driving without your seatbelt on.
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2 comments:
Another lesson from this, one I practice all the time: don't drive at night after the bars close (usually 2:00 AM in many places in the United States).
For whatever reason, the family members didn't do that. Had they waited until 4:00 AM or later to travel, they may have well avoided this accident.
Also, if one is seeking to travel on an early morning airline flight: book a hotel by the airport for the night before, avoiding automobile travel during the wee hours of the night. Safer that way. Just my thoughts.
Many people, especially those who drive larger vehicles, do not use their seatbelts. Most of them get away with it. Wearing the seatblet is like transferring risk with an insurance policy. Most of them time it is not needed, but when it is needed it is invaluable.
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