SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Two active-duty service members suffered major injuries Monday afternoon in a high speed collision. The two men were in a red Ford Mustang heading south on Interstate 5 around 2 p.m. when the driver abruptly changed lanes at the state Route 94 interchange, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Ken Jackman. The car went into a skid until the driver’s side door slammed into a metal guardrail and the car overturned. Both men were ejected and the driver’s legs were both severed below the knee.
The crash left the car demolished and bent into a U shape. The floorboard was pushed so high that the driver’s seat was completely outside the vehicle on top of the car’s undercarriage. The passenger had been wearing a seatbelt. However, investigators have not yet been abel to determine whether the driver was wearing a seatbelt because the car damage was so severe. Several people tried to help the victims, who have been identified as an 18-year-old from Tennessee and a 19-year-old from Texas.
One man applied a tourniquet to the man with the severed legs. The other victim suffered deep gashes to his face. Friends at the hospital told press members that both men were in the Navy. Alcohol was not a factor in the accident, however investigators believe that street racing was a factor. At least two other vehicles were seen speeding in the area prior to the accident. Based on the skid marks and the damage to the car, officers believe the vehicle was traveling somewhere between 60 and 90 miles per hour when it hit the guardrail. Anyone determined to have been street racing at the time of the accident could potentially face charges. Two lanes of the Interstate 5, as well as the state Route 94 transition road, were shut down for a long time following the accident.
Our hearts go out to the men who were injured in this accident. These injuries will no doubt be life changing. There is a reason why street racing is illegal. It can all too often have these devastating results. If you have been injured in an accident cause by someone participating in an illegal street race or any other unlawful driving behavior, you may wish to speak with a personal injury lawyer.
The lawyers at Berman & Riedel, LLP in San Diego, California, work exclusively for people who have been injured or suffered losses due to third party negligence or recklessness. If you would like to speak with someone to ensure your legal rights are protected, contact the firm to set up a case consultation free of charge.
