Hollister
– California Highway Patrol officers do not know if alcohol was
involved in a head-on collision on Highway 152 Sunday night that
sent two men to the hospital with major injuries.
Hollister – California Highway Patrol officers do not know if alcohol was involved in a head-on collision on Highway 152 Sunday night that sent two men to the hospital with major injuries.
Jerry Yoder, a 41-year-old Pacifica resident, was attempting to pass another motorist on Highway 152 near Dunn Lane on the outskirts of San Benito County when he collided with a 2003 Nissan Altima traveling in the opposite direction on the highway, said CHP Public Information Officer Chris Armstrong. Yoder’s 2005 Saturn Vue collided head-on with the car, driven by Brandon Elliott, 21, of Thousand Oaks. Elliott saw Yoder trying to pass the car at the last moment and did not have enough time to get out of the way, Armstrong said. Yoder did not see the oncoming car, according to initial reports, Armstrong said. Yoder was traveling at 60mph and Elliott was traveling at 50mph, according to Armstrong.
The collision occurred shortly before 10pm on Sunday. Emergency officials arrived on scene within minutes after the crash was reported, Armstrong said. First responders used Jaws of Life – hydraulic cutting tools – to free the two men from their cars, Armstrong said. Both men were flown by emergency helicopter to area trauma centers. Yoder was taken by Life Flight to Valley Medical Center. Elliott was taken by CalStar to San Jose Regional Hospital. Although they were wearing seat belts, Armstrong said, both men suffered “major injuries” to their arms and legs.
“In a head-on collision major injuries are common,” he said. “There is a lot of force involved at these speeds.”
CHP investigators do not know if either man had been drinking.
“It’s not clear if either party was under the influence,” Armstrong said. “But we are still investigating this incident.”
Highway 152 was closed for nearly one hour following the accident, Armstrong said.
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com.
