Two Injured When Car Splits in Half After California Crash

A car was split right down the middle in a California head-on car accident on the Highway 101 near Cloverdale in Northern California. According to a news report in The Press Democrat, California Highway Patrol officials said 26-year-old Apol Lansang was driving her Chevy Impala south on Highway 101 near Geysers Road when she was struck by a Toyota Sequoia that drifted across the highway into the path of the Impala. The Toyota was driven by 27-year-old Kevin Fenty of Huntington Beach.

The impact from the head-on collision sliced Lansang’s car down the middle sending the car’s entire passenger side onto the embankment. Fenty was ejected and both drivers were transported to a local hospital. Neither suffered life-threatening injuries. Officers who responded to the scene said it was one of the “most severely damaged cars” they’ve ever seen. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but drugs are believed to be a factor.

It is indeed fortunate that no one was severely injured in this head-on car accident considering that the car was cut in half. It’s truly a miracle that the driver of the Impala escaped with non-life-threatening injuries. We wish the injured the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.

Increase in Drugged Driving

A study of California drivers found that about 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study also found that about 14 percent of drivers test positive for drugs that impair driving compared to 7.3 percent of drivers who test positive for just alcohol. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also seen an uptick nationally in drugged driving incidents. In 2015, 21 percent of the 31,166 fatal crashes in the U.S. involved at least one driver who tested positive for drugs. That’s up from 12 percent in 2005, according to NHTSA.

Justice for Injured Victims

Based on this news report, officials say the driver of the Toyota Sequoia may have been under the influence of drugs when he crossed over to opposing lanes of traffic and collided head on with the Impala. In such cases, the at-fault driver, in addition to facing criminal charges, can also be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused to victims.

Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, property damage and pain and suffering. Injured victims would be well advised to contact an experienced California car accident lawyer who will remain on their side, fight for their rights and help ensure that the wrongdoers are held accountable.