A traffic collision involving an Airport shuttle van and three other vehicles in Palo Alto late Wednesday night sent seven people to the hospital, one with serious injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol and the Palo Alto Fire Department.
The collision was reported at 11:53 p.m. on southbound U.S. Highway 101 just north of San Antonio Road, near the border of Palo Alto and Mountain View, CHP said.
Nine people were evaluated for injuries and seven were taken to Stanford Hospital with various injuries, according to a statement from Palo Alto Fire Battalion Chief Chris Woodard.
One of them, a man from San Jose, was taken to Stanford Hospital with a laceration to his left eye, CHP said. The man also complained of chest pain.
Another man and a woman were also injured, but less severely. They were both taken to the hospital to be treated for neck pain. Several lanes of the highway were blocked for over an hour while emergency crews cleaned up the scene.
The driver of the Airport shuttle reported that the shuttle was slowing down because of road construction near the San Antonio exit when it was hit from behind by another car, according to Woodard. That car, which was reportedly traveling at regular highway speed, struck the van and pushed it into another car.
Comments
Jackson Park
on May 17, 2012 at 11:36 am
on May 17, 2012 at 11:36 am
They say the most dangerous part of the trip isn't the airplane but the ride to/from the airport...
Old Mountain View
on May 17, 2012 at 2:17 pm
on May 17, 2012 at 2:17 pm
I once took the Supper Shuttle from the airport, and it was one the most dangerous trips of my life. Never again.
Gemello
on May 17, 2012 at 2:35 pm
on May 17, 2012 at 2:35 pm
People drive crazy days. I have used the shuttle in the past and have nothing to complain. The only complaint I have aginst the shuttles is they take you to so many places to pick up and drop off passengers and it takes 90 minutes to get to the airport and I highly dislike that. The shuttle drivers drive very carefully and take all precautions and definitely no complaint against the safety aspect.
Whisman Station
on May 17, 2012 at 2:36 pm
on May 17, 2012 at 2:36 pm
I commute each day past SFO and I can't count the times these shuttle buses speed past me or swerve in and out of lanes. Not the safest drivers.
Blossom Valley
on May 17, 2012 at 3:28 pm
on May 17, 2012 at 3:28 pm
I took an airport shuttle once --- while in a screaming arguement on his cell phone, he drove the wrong way down El Camino. Thankfully it was o'dark thirty. But still. Never again.
Cuernavaca
on May 17, 2012 at 3:38 pm
on May 17, 2012 at 3:38 pm
There are highway repairs going on along that stretch of 101. The white lines have been erased in some parts, leaving drivers to guess which way the lane turns. I wonder if this contributed to this accident. I've been driving through that patch of highway all week on a wing and a prayer. It's crazy. The contractors need to lay down some noticable white lines.
Blossom Valley
on May 18, 2012 at 5:38 pm
on May 18, 2012 at 5:38 pm
All those super shuttle drivers are idiots!!