A Caltrans construction died on Tuesday after being struck by a black Mercedes-Benz whose driver lost control and ended up smashing through a chain link fence at a Stanford medical center parking lot, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP spokesman Art Montiel said the worker was killed on southbound U.S. Highway 101 near Marsh Road in Redwood City about 11 a.m. when the Mercedes hurt one other Caltrans worker, and struck four cars in the parking lot.
The female driver lost control of the 2012 Mercedes for an unknown reason, Montiel said. She and another Caltrans worker were taken to Stanford Hospital for minor injuries. Both are expected to survive.
NBC Bay Area's chopper flew overhead, showing the black Mercedes with temporary dealer license plates and a deployed airbag. [[270036211, R]] The car had smashed into a chain-link fence abutting a Stanford Medicine building parking lot.
A Sig-Alert was issued at 11:24 a.m. and traffic was backed up to Woodside, according to the CHP incident log. The coroner was called out at 11: 20 a.m.
The first report of the accident came in at 11:05 a.m.
Local
NBC Bay Area has learned that CalTrans subcontracted the workers to pick up litter on the side of the highway. The crew is part of a personal development program at Jobtrainworks.com. The organization helps at-risk youth and adults develop job skills.
The organization issued this statement following the fatal accident:
“We are shocked and saddened about the tragic accident that took place this morning on Highway 101. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those involved and we will be working to provide counseling and support.”
The CHP says they are still trying to determine why the woman lost control of her car. They also say the accident serves as an important reminder for drivers to pay attention to the road and always give at least one lane of space.
NBC Bay Area's Gonzalo Rojas and Geoffrey Eisler contributed to this report.
