Updated 6/10/09:
A head on collision on Saturday, June 6th proved fatal. A 1998 Ford sedan was heading northbound on South Watt Ave. when a mechanical failure might have caused the vehicle to turn into on coming traffic in the opposing lanes. The accident killed an 82 year old woman and her 83 year old husband. The driver of the Ford suffered a broken arm and broken ankle.
The elderly couple was driving a Honda Civic. Both vehicles were traveling about 50 miles per hour, said Sgt. Chris Lane.
Winifred Thurlow was immediately transported to UC Davis Medical Center where she was pronounced dead, Lane said. Her husband, Thomas Thurlow died after receiving cardiac compressions during surgery.
No drugs or alcohol were involved in any way. Witnesses say the 16 year old young man driving the Ford was not driving recklessly before the accident. “There was no gross negligence,” Lane said. “That’s the main reason we think it could legitimately be a case of mechanical failure.”
The young man was able to come home from the hospital on Monday after surgery on his ankle and is beginning the process of recovery.
Both vehicles are currently impounded and are awaiting inspection for evidence. Rancho Cordova California Highway Patrol officials were working at the scene for about two hours, Lane said.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
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{ 11 comments }
I wonder why a medical problem isn’t being considered considering the age of the two victims.
Re: TheMom1951: The medical condition(s) of the elderly couple isn’t being considered because they didn’t cause the accident.
How very sad, my prayers go out to the family.
Why was the 17 year old boy referred to as a 17 year old man?
Bob,
The wording was my decision in writing the article. I realize legal adulthood occurs at 18, but I thought this young man would hardly feel like a child after going through this ordeal. I hope the wording doesn’t confuse anyone.
First and foremost, what is given to the public should at least be accurate as possible. Secondly, before writing an article the facts should researched. The young man in your article is not 17 years old, he’s 16. In addition, he didn’t break his leg. His ankle was broke in a least 3 places, which may have occurred from hitting the brake.
Gabriel thanks for the additional information, at the time of writing we publish the information as accurate as we know. We don’t wait until all the facts are released 3 days later, we publish what is known at the time and include additional information as it becomes available. One year’s difference in age isn’t really relevant unless he’s underage and a broken leg versus a broken ankle is essentially similar. Thanks for reading.
I would love to, but would have to get an approval from his mom. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks again for taking care to make the minor adjustments in this article. Michelle was great! Take care…
The young man will not be 17 until the end of the year. His arm was fractured. His right ankle was shattered and required surgery, among other cuts and bruises, as reported by his mother. However, after speaking with him, I can can tell you that the worst part of his injuries that he is suffering from are not physical, but for the loss of the elderly couple. All he was concerned about right after the accident was the status of the other people involved.
Of note, this young man’s aspiration is to become an EMT for the fire department. He has been taking specific college courses related to this field in addition to his high school academia. Although he understands this was an “accident” totally out of his control, he has yet to come to terms that it was not his fault. No doubt it will take some time to heal emotionally. My sympathy goes out to the family that has suffered the loss of their loved ones…
Perhaps you can contact the local fire department so they can encourage him not to give up on his dream…just some food for thought.
Thanks for your time…
Thanks for the background info. Maybe you would like o submit a profile of this young man for our readers.
I would love to, but would have to get an approval from his mom. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks again for taking care to make the minor adjustments in this article. Michelle was great! Take care
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