2 killed in East Palo Alto crash involving 7 cars: What we know about the victims

EAST PALO ALTO, Calif. - Two people died and at least three others were injured Tuesday morning in a multi-car crash in East Palo Alto.

The crash, which involved seven vehicles, was reported just before 8:30 a.m. at Bay Road and University Avenue, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department.

7-car crash in East Palo Alto

What we know:

Authorities say the crash occurred when a minivan struck six cars, including a SamTrans van. The minivan driver, identified by authorities as an adult man, died at the scene, the sheriff's office said. A second occupant in the minivan, an adult woman, was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died.

Three others were injured, though the sheriff's office noted none of their injuries were life-threatening.

Bay Road at University Avenue was closed for several hours, but reopened around 12:30 p.m.

Destinee Johnson said at the corner of University and Bay around 8:20 a.m. a maroon minivan veered into oncoming traffic.

"It was coming down the street, coming down University this way, going straight and then it hit a car head-on," she said. "And then it hit another car, and another car, and another car. And I was like, ‘oh my god.’"

Witnesses told KTVU the van was weaving through traffic at highway speed.

Family identifies victim

Dig deeper:

Dorothy Faye McGee says her brother Bob McGee was the driver of the minivan, and she thinks he had a medical emergency before the crash.

"Bob had been sick for three to four months. His heart was failing, and he's been in and out of the hospital," she told KTVU.

She believes her brother had a heart attack while behind the wheel.

"I guess he had a heart attack because they said his feet were still on the pedal when they got him out of the car," Dorothy McGee said.

Investigators say they are still looking at the cause of the crash, and ask anyone with information to contact the sheriff's office. 

The victims of the crash have not been formally identified by authorities.

Earlier Tuesday morning, the Menlo Park Fire District initially reported one person had died in the crash.

Around 2 p.m., the sheriff's department confirmed that two people had died.

Victim's 70th birthday next week

Local perspective:

Family members say Bob McGee was the youngest of 13 siblings and his girlfriend was the woman with him in the car.

"People have been calling and stopping by, and we appreciate your prayers," Dorothy McGee said. "And just keep praying for us, and we'll be praying for the other families that are involved also," McGee said.

Family members say that Bob McGee was getting ready to celebrate his 70th birthday next week, and they appreciate the outpouring of support from the community.

 

East Palo AltoCrime and Public Safety