An 18-year-old Hollister man involved in the Wednesday morning accident on Highway 25 was on life support after the wreck but was officially pronounced deceased later in the day, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The accident reported at 9:38 a.m. Wednesday at Highway 25 and Wright Road outside of Hollister involved the 18-year-old driver from Hollister in a 2009 HHR car and a 27-year-old driver with four young minors in a 2004 Ford Expedition sport utility vehicle, said CHP Officer Dakota Smith.
Responders attempted to resuscitate the unconscious driver of the car and then had him airlifted to a Bay Area hospital. He remains on life support – for organ donation purposes – but has been pronounced officially deceased.Â
The CHP shortly after the accident reported it as a fatality, although it did not become official until later in the day.
A 27-year-old Hollister woman was driving the SUV with the four minors – ages 1, 3, 10 and 10 – in the vehicle. Smith said they all complained of pain but are doing OK. One of the female children also sustained a cut to her head.
The accident occurred after the HHR was halted at the intersection’s stop sign while westbound on Wright Road. The car pulled out and was struck broadside on the passenger’s side by the SUV heading south on Highway 25, Smith said.
At this point, it appears speed was not a factor, Smith said, while all of the people involved were wearing seat belts.
