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Photograph by George Sakkestad

Veronica Casteneda is consoled by her boyfriend after being involved in a five-car accident that tied up traffic at the intersection of Fruitvale and Allendale avenues on May 7.

5-car collision at the normally quiet Allendale, Fruitvale corner

By Shannon Burkey

A woman driving a new Mercedes SUV apparently mistook her brake pedal for her gas pedal, causing a five-car collision as she sped through a red light at the intersection of Fruitvale and Allendale avenues on May 7.

"The car went careening through the intersection quite fast," said witness Sue Kensill. "It looked like a wild person was behind the wheel."

The Mercedes was headed east on Allendale Avenue and, as it approached the intersection, the light turned red. The driver, who told officers she was confused because the vehicle was new, hit the gas instead of her brakes and clipped a Toyota RAV 4 heading north on Fruitvale Avenue.

The impact caused the Mercedes to turn into oncoming traffic on Fruitvale Avenue, hitting a Volkswagon Jetta head-on before crossing over into the median and coming to a stop. A Honda Civic coming up from behind rear-ended the Jetta, and then the Civic was rear-ended by yet another car.

When all was said and done, five cars were damaged, and the driver of the Jetta, who complained of neck and back pain, was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital. She was released later that day.

"The Mercedes was brand-new, and the lady was unfamiliar with it. She hit the gas pedal and basically panicked," said Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department traffic investigator Kim Morganthayler. "I've seen it happen so many times. People panic, then they're off on Mr. Toad's wild ride. She basically just goofed."

Morganthayler said it was an accident, and the driver was not cited.

Beth Green, who witnessed the accident as she sat at the light on the other side of Fruitvale Avenue, said her first thought was that the driver's foot might have gotten caught.

"It looked like she was going through the light, then she changed her mind. She tried to get out of the way, but she just ended up bouncing off all the other cars," Green said. "It's crazy because you think this is a pretty safe intersection."

One thing that Green said really struck her was how many people wanted to help.

"The public response was really great. People stopped and came running up the street to help out and everyone was on their cell phones," she said. "It's so heartwarming to see the outpouring of help from the community. People took the time to care."

Witnesses agreed how lucky it was that it didn't turn out worse.

Joanne Szybalski, the driver of the Toyota, said she saw the Mercedes coming right at her, but there was nothing she could do to get out of the way. Her car was the first hit and received only damage to the back bumper.

"It really makes you stop and think how lucky you are," she said.