[04-23-2023] Santa Clara County, CA – Wrong-Way Collision Kills Two Men in Sunnyvale

A wrong-way crash that killed two men occurred in Sunnyvale on Sunday morning, April 23, 2023.

The deadly two-vehicle head-on collision happened around 4 a.m. on Highway 237 near Mathilda Avenue.

The California Highway Patrol reported that a silver 2021 Honda Civic collided head-on with a red 2017 Honda Civic while traveling east in the westbound lanes.

The CHP has confirmed both drivers’ deaths. There were no other passengers in both cars.

The Santa Clara County coroner identified Xavier S., a 22-year-old from Hayward, as the red 2017 Honda Civic driver. The CHP has only identified the silver 2021 Honda Civic driver as a 34-year-old Hispanic man from San Francisco.

The CHP suspects the wrong-way driver may have been under the influence of alcohol, but they are still waiting for confirmation from toxicology reports.

Sunnyvale Reckless Driving Accident Lawyers

A victim’s family who has been killed or seriously injured in a reckless driving accident can file a lawsuit against the irresponsible driver. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in California and it was not your fault, you should immediately contact an attorney.

One of our experienced lawyers will evaluate your case, counsel you on how to proceed, and explain the factors that affect the final settlement amount during the free consultation.

Our renowned Sunnyvale reckless driving accident lawyers at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., have years of experience in advocating for accident victims, with granted compensation totaling $750 million to date.

Call us at (888) 488-1391 or fill out our “Do I Have a Case?” to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.

What to Do After a Reckless Driving Accident

While you cannot predict car accidents, you can prepare for them. Keep a checklist in your car’s compartment for what to do in the event of an accident.

This list can guide you on what to do, what to avoid, and how to protect your rights. Follow these guidelines:

• Stay calm and never admit fault. Remain at the scene and check everyone’s condition. Check yourself first before checking anyone else.
• Wait for the authorities in a safe location. Move any disabled vehicles to the side of the road. As a safety precaution, please turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights.
• Call 911 to report your collision. Police officers will collect evidence, take statements, and compile a report regarding the incident.
• Seek medical attention. Get in touch with a doctor as soon as you can. The severity of an injury can be mitigated if medical care is sought immediately.
• Exchange information with all parties involved. Take pictures of everything from your injuries to the weather, road conditions, and the vehicle that hit you.
• Create a file. Gather and file all paperwork related to the incident, such as the police report, medical bills, details about the other driver, and plans for treating any injuries, in a case file.
• Report to your insurance company. California’s statute of limitations for reporting an accident to your insurer varies by company.
• Speak to insurance adjusters. While you speak with a claims adjuster, you should refrain from sharing more information than is necessary. Do not give an insurance company a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer before speaking with an attorney.
• Seek immediate legal counsel from a reliable California reckless driving accident attorney.

Reckless Accident Statistics

Each year, reckless driving leads to thousands of crashes and hundreds of fatalities across the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines reckless driving as “willful disregard” for other road users’ safety.

According to NHTSA statistics, drunk drivers cause 30% of all traffic crash fatalities in the US. Around 11,600 people perished in these preventable accidents in 2020. From 2011 to 2020, about 10,500 people died annually from drunk driving incidents.

Although it is against the law to drive while intoxicated in every state, in 2020, one person died due to a drunk driving accident every 45 minutes.