A woman who died in a crash on Oregon Expressway in Palo Alto early this morning was the passenger and wife of the man driving the vehicle that crossed over the median, causing the head-on crash, according to police.
A preliminary investigation by police revealed that the silver 2018 Kia Optima was exiting the off-ramp from southbound Highway 101 to Oregon Expressway when the driver, a man in his 60s from Livingston in Merced County, crossed over the median shortly after 4:40 a.m., police said.
The sedan collided with a food delivery truck, a white 2011 Ford Transit van, which was driving in the farthest left-hand lane of eastbound Oregon Expressway. Investigators said that the driver of the van is a man in his 30s.
The impact caused both cars to spin out and each vehicle sustained major damage, police said.
Both drivers suffered minor to moderate injuries and were taken to Stanford Hospital. Police said they are both expected to survive.
The woman was found in critical condition at the scene and succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, police said.
A Palo Alto police sergeant previously said this morning that the deceased was the driver of the Kia, but the department clarified in a later news release that she was the passenger.
The Santa Clara County medical examiner’s office said that the victim’s identity is not yet being released to the public.
Police received multiple calls about the collision just east of West Bayshore Road and arrived on scene right away.
After police arrived, they shut down the eastbound lanes of Oregon Expressway from the time of the collision until 9:35 a.m.
The lane closures prevented access to Highway 101 in both directions from Oregon Expressway during the morning commute. Drivers were redirected to Embarcadero Road or San Antonio Road as alternatives, police said.
Police said that they do not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision. Both drivers spoke to investigators at the hospital.
The driver of the Kia was not cited or arrested, police said.
Anyone with information on the case should call the 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329-2413. Those who wish to remain anonymous can email [email protected] or text or call (650) 383-8984. The Palo Alto Police Department also has a free mobile smartphone app where tips can be submitted anonymously.
— Bay City News