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Mountain View police say an “extremely horrific” single-car accident killed the driver of a Volvo after it smashed into seven trees on West Middlefield Road early Sunday morning.
Police were notified at 2:32 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 21 that an eastbound vehicle had crashed into a tree on West Middlefield between Linda Vista and San Veron avenues, according to police spokesperson Liz Wylie.
“When we got there, the tree and the vehicle were engulfed in flames,” she said. “Officers attempted to try to find a way into the vehicle to get the trapped driver out, but the vehicle had substantial damage and there was a lot of debris on top of it.”
The driver, who has not yet been identified, “sustained massive injuries and burns” and was pronounced dead at the scene, Wylie said. Fire crews were called to put out the burning vehicle and a tree that had caught fire.
Wylie said the vehicle, a 2001 Volvo S80, was destroyed beyond recognition. She said it hit six trees along the roadway, knocking several down completely, before coming to rest against a large redwood tree, 65 inches in circumference. Another, slightly smaller redwood was knocked down and snapped in half, Wylie said.
“Hitting a tree cuts through the car like a knife, so hitting seven of them of varying sizes — it completely destroys the car,” Wylie said. “From certain angles it is literally unrecognizable.”
Middlefield Road was blocked off until 11 a.m. Sunday due to the crash. Wylie said that although police believe speed was a factor, they do not yet have an estimate on how fast the driver might have been traveling. The speed limit where the crash occurred is 35 miles per hour.
Wylie said police do not know if alcohol or drugs were involved, and that they were waiting on reports from the coroner’s office.
Anyone with information on the crash is encouraged to call police at (650) 903-6344. The original press release is available here.
I was at the scene right after the fire was put out, it seemed like the car was going very fast right before the rain had started. There was the whole front tire and a piece of suspension attached to it thrown 30 to 40 meters away from the car!.
I’m tired of these nuts on the road. Considering it wasn’t a Toyota and the time of night it occurred, I’m betting drugs and/or alcohol were involved. Fortunately no innocent people were hurt. One less idiot around.
ok people.. don’t assume you know what happened!! We don’t know the full story yet. Although, there is a chance that drugs/alcohol/speed were factors in the crash, we stil do not know and shouldn’t assume that’s why he crashed. It’s really sad and unfortunate that the man lost his life in such a terrible way… but I am also glad that he did not kill anyone else.
=(
Due to the severe damage I estimate the speed @ over 35mph.
thanks wow from cuesta park thats how you comment and nobody knows the family nor the problems and you that said Im tired of these nuts on the road that is not how you’re supposed to express if you have respect and ethnic show it you do not know whats on all youre love ones mind RIGHT? TODAY WE MOURN TOMMORROW COULD BE YOU,DONT KNOW THE FUTURE.
he was a close friend he will never be forgotten he was gone so young. R.I.P my dear friend
The driver could easily have killed innocent people. If he had, and thankfully he didn’t, there would not be so much understanding. Forgive yes, but also emphasize the stupidity and unnecessary loss.
Dumb De Dumb Dumb. Thin the herd!
Re:Posted by Shemp, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, 15 hours ago
I’m tired of these nuts on the road. Considering it wasn’t a Toyota and the time of night it occurred, I’m betting drugs and/or alcohol were involved. Fortunately no innocent people were hurt. **
Why is that, because it would have been an Asian driving? It’s comments like that which show the ignorance levels of some people.
Its very unfortunate that this person passed away in that manner that he/she did, but until there is conclusive evidence that drugs/alcohol were a factor in this TRAGIC accident we should not be speculating that there was.
People, please mind the postes speed limits.
i just believe its very sad when someone loses their life whether it was their fault or not because most likely the person who dies leaves behind family and friends who now have to mourn their loss.
I think Shemp’s Toyota comment referred to that company’s recalls for sticking gas pedals, not the race of Toyota drivers.
you guys shouldn’t be commenting if you dont know the person because i personally am friends with the sister of the victim and their taking it really hard. Especially when stupid people that comment without thinking of the effect of their words so think before commenting on stories.
R.I.P we love you
It is a shame – youth, speed, alcohol, and drugs could all be factors. We know there was youth and speed here. I am glad that there were no innocent victims as so often, there are. Let this be a lesson to all young people – A CAR IS A WEAPON, and some mistakes in life are final and forever.
It is obvious the driver was going well above 70mph. Use a bit of logic here and know a thing or two about basic physics people.
i can believe some people are just writing commets like if there pulling out of there butt…..the person who wrote about he or she is tired of this nuts on the road, needs to learn how to think before they speak….you dont know what there family is going through or even closed friends of the victim…..my prayers how out to his family and please before you poste something think before you do…just think that could of been a family memeber of your or even a friend
Most people who post on these boards are reactionary, heartless idiots. You have NO IDEA what happened people! Yes, drunk driving and high speeds looks the most obvious, and maybe that is what happened. But maybe it was not as fast as you think. Maybe he had a seizure, maybe he saw a dog on the road and lost control swerving. Maybe he was sleepy and just nodded off. And no, you do not have to go 70mph to take out a tree and cause a fire. So maybe he was at total fault, and maybe he was not, but stop all the tut tutting until you actually have a single fact aside from the results of the causes.
Note to Smile of Whisman Station
it is ‘their’ not ‘there’ for example: you don’t know what THEIR family is going through.
We wouldn’t have to conjecture all these theories if the news story would have provided some information. No wonder we can’t discuss anything rationally–we have almost no data! Can’t The View reporters dig deeper into the story and report their findings? Isn’t that what they’re supposed to do?
lightweight – The article says that the coroner’s reports are not back yet, and the police do not yet have a speed estimate. So there you go. You blame the paper for lack of research and you cannot even be bothered to read what is printed. I am sure other details will come out later. Of course in this day and age everyone wants everything instantly. And if they don’t get instant answers they claim the right to speculate and condemn. Sad really.
corrected: First of all, all of the people making rude comments u sound hella stupid. Because if something so tragic as this was to happen to someone u truely loved and cared for u would look past that. He may have made a mistake that night and that mistake ended his life. And now we. his family and friends. have to deal with the fact that one of our loved ones is now gone. And its not only the fact that he is gone it is also how tragically his passing was. the freinds and family have a little more info then you and most of it truely isnt your business what actually happend. so maybe before u are a dick head about something consider the feelings of the ones who lost someone special.
R.I.P you will never be forgotten, we love you
Please stop making your own fabricated stories of this man who died unfortunately. It doesn’t matter why he died. It is unfortunate. There are parents,relatives and friends grieving at this moment. Give them a break and peace of mind. All of a suddent most of you have become a tabloid like the National Enquirer and making disrespectful and insensitive stories. Imagine if it was one of your own, would you like strangers make up stories..
Sorry for the loss to family and friends. Comments like the ones here are the reason some stories should not allow comments. I’m sure no matter how rude or brainless you people are that the family of the driver wish you a long life. Show some respect for God’s sake.
Have compassion for those affected by this tragedy. To the woman and small child grieving the last two mornings in the median – I hope our community shows you kindness and sympathy.
Please, I think that is enough with all the rude comments. No one in this world is perfect. Let us all have some respect for the victim and the family. Rest In Peace, you will be missed!!
hi we drove by on sunday we saw the police activity I did not know the driver was killed we respectfully give our condolences
I wish the media would just report the news and not make blogs like this to allow for an unneed forum. But again … this is just a small town journalism paper that does little towards the masses.
Kate,
This isn’t a college English class. Lay off the spell check:) Its what they said that matters. By the way, your comment could use some punctuation!
LISTEN ALL OF YOU PEOLE TALKING THINGS OUT OF THIER a** GOTTA STOP! YOU PEOPLE DIDN’T KNOW THE PERSON! YOU DON’T KNOW HOW CARING HE WAS OF OTHERS AND HOW RESPONSIBLE HE WAS AND HOW HE TOOK CARE OF A FAMILY OF 4 AND HOW HE LOVED HIS FAMILY VERY MUCH AND HOW HE DEDICATED HIS TIME TO WORK AND GO TO SCHOOL TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY! HE DID WHAT MOST TEENAGERS WOULDN’T DO IN A LIFETIME. HE WENT TO COLLEGE AND SPENT HIS TIME STUDYING TO BECOME AN EMT?/ FIRE FIGHTER! HE GOT OUT OF SCHOOL AT THE AGE OF 16 TO SUPPORT A FAMILY OF 6 AND AFTER HE BECAME A MAN BEFORE THE AGE OF 18! WHEN MOST PEOPLE ARE 26 AND HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN THEIR LIFE. HE WAS AND WILL BE THE BEST FAMILY MAN PEOPLE KNEW AND WOULD WANT TO HAVE! (NOTICE I SAID KNEW!!!!!!! WE ALL MISS HIM AND LOVE HIM! HE IS THE BEST MAN I KNOW!
I had the pleasure of meet this remarkable great young man and people who didn”t know him should not comment no matter how or why this happen befor you comment remember he was a person some son brother and friend and very loved and is going to be very missed.SO you stuiped people keep your dum a** comments to your self.
Yes this crash and death was very tragic. Some of you people who write should start SPELLING correctly. It is like you don’t hear the whole word so therefore the incorrect spelling.
Now I wondered what all the noise was about early Sunday morning with all the sirens blasting as I live in Mountain Shadows, not too far from this incident.
Very sad indeed to lose someone apparently so important to the family.
This is a tragedy. We don’t know what caused the accident. It could have been a mechanical failure, a medical problem, or many other things. My condolences to the family.
For those of us not personally involved, let’s take this as an opportunity to consider how we drive. Drive safe, so a moment’s inattention or faulty brakes don’t turn a minor mishap into a deadly crash.
tommygee, you moron
Any word yet on the ID of the person?
if no one has anything nice to say about my brother don’t bother wasting you time writing. you didn’t know him. he was the most wonderful brother who put everybody else before himself and never asked anything in return. we are all human and we all make mistakes. you people have no right to judge my brother.
This is a sad way to prove a point that speeding or being under the influence are serious issues that should make us all look for signs in our loved ones. Thankfully no one else was hurt.
So as someone who lives close by and was on the scene shortly after the accident and a former police officer in the bay area I can say with a certain amount of confidence that the speed can be estimated over 60 and I would say he could have easily been going much faster. Its difficult to tell in this instance since the car center punched two large trees taking most of the damage in the center of the vehicle. The vehicles engine was actually pushed all the way into the car and the impact sheered an 8 inch redwood in pieces. I am saddened by the man loosing his life but also relieved that he didn’t hit on coming traffic as he crossed the median which would have certainly resulted in other people being injured.