66-Year-Old Bodega Bay Biologist Fatally Injured in Six-Vehicle Collision near South McDowell Boulevard
PETALUMA, CA (April 24, 2018) – UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory mourns the loss of a renowned marine biologist that was fatally injured in a six-vehicle collision on Tuesday morning. She was identified as Susan Williams, a 66-year-old resident of Bodega Bay.
According to investigators, the crash occurred on Lakeville Highway near the South McDowell Boulevard Extension at about 7:15 AM. A Chevrolet Silverado, driven by a 19-year-old driver, suddenly crossed the double yellow lines and headed straight through the oncoming traffic. The dangerous act resulted in a chain reaction crash that involved at least five more vehicles.
The unidentified Silverado driver and his 50-year-old passenger were rushed to the hospital with critical but non-life threatening injuries. A 22-year-old driver of a Honda Accord was also hospitalized after receiving major, but, non-life threatening injuries. The identities and the conditions of other involved drivers and passengers were not released to the public.
Williams’ Prius was the first to get hit head-on by the Silverado, and then hit the Accord. This event resulted to three more cars colliding with each other. Suzana Weltken, a Sonoma resident who witnessed how the crash unfolded, stated that the vehicles involved were “hitting and flying everywhere”. She also added that the Silverado also hit a truck and the front of her SUV before it struck more vehicles and spiraled out of control into a field.
Petaluma firefighters and about three ambulance crews arrived at the scene of the accident to find multiple vehicles severely damaged. There was a pickup truck rolled over and heavily damaged, three smashed-up cars, and one vehicle that was barely recognizable. Another vehicle, a blue sedan, ended up in a nearby field. Rescuers found its driver with a major head injury and rushed him to the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
Authorities shut down the affected areas but reopened them around 11:30 AM. It is still unknown why the Silverado suddenly crossed the lines and what are the other factors that might have contributed to the fatal collision. No other information is available to the public at the moment.
Sweet Law offers our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Susan Williams. She was a renowned and well-loved marine biologist and instructor from UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory. May she rest in peace.
If you have lost a loved one in a tragic car accident, contact the experienced wrongful death lawyers at Sweet Law Group. Our firm has over 40 years of experience in the field, and we know what it takes to win your case and achieve the justice and compensation that you and your family deserve. Call (800) 203-3061 and arrange a free initial consultation at a location nearest you. We are available to clients 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week by email, text message, phone, and online chat.
