News Briefs

Orbit Drive crash kills Saratogans

Saratogan Sushil Kapoor, 61, and her 3-year-old grandson were killed Jan. 8 when her car veered off Orbit Drive, and crashed through a resident's driveway and retaining wall, before plunging several hundred feet down an embankment.

As of Jan. 10, California Highway Patrol officials in San Jose had still not determined the cause of the crash and were calling on special investigators to search for answers.

Family members of Kapoor and her grandson Akshay Taneja could not be reached for comment last week.

Apparently no other vehicles were involved in the accident. Headed west on Orbit Drive at around 9 a.m., just outside the Saratoga limits, Kapoor's Saab appeared to miss a turn. The car broke through trees and one cement barrier outside a residence, and went through the driveway and another cement wall before falling down the embankment.

A CHP report said the car fell several hundred feet and then rolled multiple times before coming to a stop.

Taneja was pronounced dead at the scene due to major head trauma.

Kapoor, transported by helicopter to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, was deemed dead on arrival there.

CHP spokesman Gary Hagen said the investigation into the crash would "take some time," as the Highway Patrol's Vallejo-based accident investigation team looked into the incident. Hagen said an autopsy was being done on Kapoor to see if there were any medical conditions that affected her driving ability.

Sister city seeks 2002 applicants

Applications are now being accepted for the 2002 Ed Gomersall Memorial Scholarship, established by the Saratoga Sister City committee in honor of Ed Gomersall, past president.

It is open to anyone of any age who is interested in furthering knowledge of any aspect of Japanese culture through programs, classes or with a personal study program.

For further information , write to Saratoga Sister City, Gomersall Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 796, Saratoga, CA 95071 or call Reiko Iwanaga at 408.867.4525.

Sheriff's Report

Local Home Sales Listings

Photo: 'Late Nite Catechism'

Saratoga Sampler

Sports Briefs

High school sports