Teen dies in SUV rollover crash

Menlo Park firefighter/ paramedics attend to a teenager who was injured in a rollover crash at Valparaiso and Altschul avenues on Saturday (Jan. 16). Menlo Park Fire photo.

BY EMILY MIBACH
Daily Post Staff Writer

The 16-year-old driver of the SUV that overturned on Valparaiso Avenue in the Sharon Hills Park neighborhood has died, authorities said today.

Michael Enright of Portola Valley was taken off of life support at 5:30 p.m. Monday (Jan. 18), said Menlo Park police spokeswoman Nicole Acker.

Enright was a sophomore at Menlo School, a private school in Atherton.

“Michael was a witty, interesting, and insightful student who had a unique perspective and bravely spoke his mind. As a freshman, he was also a member of last year’s undefeated (junior varsity) football team where he showed his resiliency and determination and worked hard to gain the respect and love of his teammates,” a statement from the school said.

Enright’s family has been involved at Menlo School for over 40 years, according to the school’s statement.

One teen, a 15-year-old girl from Woodside was taken to Stanford Hospital with “serious” but non-life-threatening injuries. The other passenger, a 16-year-old boy from Menlo Park, was in critical condition when he was taken to the hospital, Acker said.

Original version, Jan. 16 — Three teenagers were injured Saturday (Jan. 16) when their SUV overturned on Valparaiso Avenue in the Sharon Hills Park neighborhood, according to the Menlo Park Fire Protection District.

The SUV appears to have been coming down a hill between Altschul Avenue and Hallmark Circle when it struck a light pole and rolled over, said Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman.

Fire Station 4 is down the street and fire crews arrived at 1:01 p.m., two minutes after being dispatched.

Two of the teens were trapped inside while a third was ejected, said Schapelhouman.

Firefighters used a hydraulic device called the Jaws of Life to free the two teens at 1:20 p.m.

The three sustained significant injuries, the fire chief said.

“Anytime our firefighter/paramedics ride into the hospital with a patient, it speaks to the severity of the emergency and need to provide the highest and most consistent level of care possible, in order to try and save a life,” Schapelhouman said.