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Four injured in Highway 29 crash
Monday, August 11, 2008
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By CARLOS VILLATORO
Register Staff Writer
A drive through the valley ended badly for a Belgian husband and wife Sunday afternoon when they were hit by a VINE bus along Highway 29, sending the woman to the hospital with major injuries and injuring three others.

The couple — names of the husband and wife were not available at press time — were driving a Ferrari west on Zinfandel Lane at 4:14 p.m., and made a left turn onto Highway 29 where they were struck by the bus traveling south on Highway 29 California Highway Patrol Officer Jerry Rico said.
The accident was originally reported to the CalFire command station in St. Helena as involving a bus and a limousine. When emergency crews arrived on the scene they discovered that it was a Lamborghini and a bus.

CalFire crews called for the assistance of a REACH air ambulance that transported the wife to Queen of the Valley Medical Center with major injuries, her husband who was driving the Lamborghini was not hurt Rico said.
Three of the 12 individuals riding in the Vine bus were injured according to CalFire; one sustained moderate injuries and the others sustained minor ones.

Minutes before the collision witnesses told the CHP that they saw the Ferrari reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour or more, narrowly missing one of the witnesses, before the wreck according to the CHP web site. But Rico said that the cause of the accident is under investigation.
Rico declined to say if drugs or alcohol played a part in the accident citing the ongoing investigation. Both husband and wife wore their seat belts Rico said.

The collision knocked out some steel poles that were guarding an underground gas fixture, causing a gas leak. PG&E crews arrived shortly after to stop the leak and repaired a downed power line that resulted from the wreck.

Officers blocked the south lane of 29 for about an hour to clear up the accident.
33 comment(s)

Cadence wrote on Aug 10, 2008 5:32 PM:

" The CHP website says it was Ferrari that hit the bus and that a witness described the Ferrari driving recklessly before the crash. "

bloodagar wrote on Aug 10, 2008 7:31 PM:

" Silly foreigners: Ferrari v. Vine Bus! "

comment wrote on Aug 10, 2008 8:21 PM:

" Idiot. You not only put your own life at risk, but plenty of other lives at risk as well. Good thing no one rides the Vine. "

gatekeeper wrote on Aug 10, 2008 8:58 PM:

" Ferrari's drivers are always safe - don't offer to be the passenger of one though...or come across an idiot who is showing it off!
Ouch!($$$)
Was the couple visiting or just happen to be St. Helena residents from Belgium? "

jwk wrote on Aug 11, 2008 7:05 AM:

" There's another incident involving your "Holier than thou" Tourist's that we're catering to and changing our entire town to attract. Alot of them obviously don't know how to drive over here, feel like they're above the law and are intoxicated on wine 99% of the time. Funny how most of the DUI's are Locals. At least no one was killed this time. Be careful what you pray for City Fathers!! This is just the beginning when our infastrucres are overwhelmed. Can you say road rage?? "

cathyodom wrote on Aug 11, 2008 7:57 AM:

" That's it, no more tourists, they're outlawed!! Did they rent the Ferrari, or borrow it? And looks like 3 were injured on the bus, comment. Got to figure that there's at least a driver, and he or she is probably a local. "

MarkMiwords wrote on Aug 11, 2008 10:14 AM:

" Turning left OR right from Zinfandel onto 29 is very dangerous and sometimes nearly impossible. These folks couldn't have been locals. St. Helena locals know that upvalley traffic is so bad, that you CAN'T make a left turn. You have to make right turns until you get the direction you need to go in. We also know that about 1 in 3 drivers here, particularily on the weekends, are smash-faced drunk! This might explain this driver's unbelievable 120 MPH on such a small rural road. It's truly, truly frightening to be out on the roads here. "

Dwayne wrote on Aug 11, 2008 10:56 AM:

" A BUS, and a Ferrari.... 'Nuff said..... Duh... "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 11, 2008 11:57 AM:

" Any word on the condition of the Ferrari ? "

14obama wrote on Aug 11, 2008 12:08 PM:

" I've never seen or heard so many judgmental people in one place as I do here in Napa. You people have to learn to lighten up. Just Who do you think you are,anyway ? "

comment wrote on Aug 11, 2008 12:25 PM:

" Sorry, Cathy. ALMOST no one rides the Vine. "

sickothis wrote on Aug 11, 2008 12:48 PM:

" Yeah, who cares about the people... how's the car?!? "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 11, 2008 12:53 PM:

" Obama-man-

Didn't you just call me a thief yesterday when I tried to inject some humor ? Is that not judgmental ? And you're right, too many people have an exercise program that consists of jumping to conclusions.

I have heard people say that a Ferrari looks like it's going 100mph standing still, so how fast is it going when it looks like it's going 120mph ? "

Dwayne wrote on Aug 11, 2008 1:02 PM:

" ...And almost no one drives a Ferrari..... "

hawkeye wrote on Aug 11, 2008 1:17 PM:

" Lighten up you say? 120 MPH, almost hits witnesses and then hits a bus and injures 3. Oh and not to mention his wife. Do you mean to say that's no big deal? What planet are you from? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're probably one of those types of drivers, based on your comment. I'll be looking out for you on the road. "

MarkMiwords wrote on Aug 11, 2008 1:20 PM:

" To 14obama: The driver of the Ferrari was going 120 MPH in a 40 to 45 MPH zone. He was traveling at almost TRIPLE the speed limit. His negligence caused a collision that injured 4, sending at least one to the hospital. Response crews from CHP, St. Helena Fire DEPT., Cal Fire, REACH Helicopter and PG&E had to be sent out on a Sunday afternoon to mop up the mess. Forgive us, but it's difficult to not be "judgemental" about this guy. "

eyewitness wrote on Aug 11, 2008 3:21 PM:

" I personally saw the aftermath of the wreckage. There is NO WAY IN GOD'S GOOD NAME that the BRIGHT ORANGE Lamborghini (NO IT WAS NOT A FERRARI) was travelling more than 50 mph. The damage was all on the passenger side from the front of the car to the passenger door. I would not doubt that they saw a Ferrari travelling 120+ mph... but the car involved in the accident was definitely a gorgeous new LAMBO. "

cathyodom wrote on Aug 11, 2008 3:31 PM:

" comment- how 'bout that trolley? never see anyone on it... we joke and call it the "HTS" Homeless Transport System". The "stats" of 15 people per rider are the number of people on three buses in an hour.... I think it's the same homeless guys riding around town on a cold winter day to stay warm. Oh, and beware any Ferraris for sale in the paper "cheap"! 120MPH, shouldn't the driver also be charged with a felony for going over a hundred? He should lose his license and his car. Yes, 14obama, we are judgmental... this is our "Monday Morning Quarterbacking" session! We're bonding :-) "

truth wrote on Aug 11, 2008 4:41 PM:

" eyewit...the fact that the car was travelling less than 120 when it collided with the bus has nothing to do with the ACTUAL eyewitness who saw it travelling at that speed BEFORE the accident, like on Zin before making the bonehead turn and failing to yield the right of way to the bus? "

mgrans wrote on Aug 11, 2008 5:56 PM:

" My 84 year old mother was on that bus. Her "minor injuries" are a broken hip.

Now- She may never walk again- how long will she survive after a broken hip at this age?

I hope you all enjoy discussing the various makes of hot rods - while my mothers life hangs in the balance. "

comment wrote on Aug 11, 2008 5:58 PM:

" It was a Lamborghini? Maybe it was Bruce Wayne. To bad Batman pulled a Hancock. "

STNTCOC wrote on Aug 11, 2008 6:49 PM:

" How did the Ferrari they were driving turn into a Lamborghini after the accident? These are two totally different cars and do no even look the same!Where the heck do these people get their facts? They are very lucky they escaped with their lives and probaly wont make a left turn in front of a bus again any time soon!I hope we hear a little follow-up on whether the driver was under the influence or not! "

napasfinest wrote on Aug 11, 2008 7:18 PM:

" I would love to meet these witnesses that have radar guns in their heads. How do they know that this guy was driving in excess of 120 mph? Most likely the guy was going around 80, which is still speeding, but I'm sure this is totally blown out of proportion. Most often people in this town drive way to slow and don't seem to see the giant signs that say "Slower Traffic Keep Right". I don't understand what's so confusing about that. DO NOT DRIVE DOWN HIGHWAY 29 AT 45 MPH!!! That causes wrecks. "

crusherfan wrote on Aug 11, 2008 7:44 PM:

" mgrans;
I wish your mother the best in her recovery "

sammy wrote on Aug 11, 2008 8:24 PM:

" mgrans, I wish as well that the comments here were more constructive to the accident victims here. I hope your Mom does well in her recovery. Let's just hope the best for her.... she must have a high energy level to be riding a bus at her age. I hope and pray she doesn't lose the spirit to fight. She's 84 years YOUNG :) Same age as my own mother. God bless you and your Mom "

MarkMiwords wrote on Aug 11, 2008 10:29 PM:

" mgrans, I'm so sorry your mother had to go through this pain and trauma. It is truly, truly sad. I pray for her quick and full recovery. "

eyewitness wrote on Aug 11, 2008 10:34 PM:

" It really doesn't matter what speed the car was traveling BEFORE the accident now does it? I didn't think so. It was a highway speed wreck on a highway. The bus looked to have pulled out in front of the car. And the BRIGHT ORANGE LAMBORGHINI was coming in with the sun behind it. Whether or not the LAMBO was speeding who knows. But the bus driver obviously did not see the LAMBO and the LAMBO had little damage to it for even a wreck at 55 mph after slowing down. However on a sports car like that even the roll cage is nothing compared to a bus. Sorry about the victims, but don't be blaming a guy driving a car that can go fast. Especially if it wasn't. Have you seen how those exotic owners drive!? Snails.... "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:39 AM:

" mgrams,

I think you may have misinterpreted our 'discussion of hotrods'. I believe we were pointing out the misinformation in the CHP/NVR reports. Which you also pointed out in the characterization of your mom's "minor" injury, which is indeed as far from minor as it can get. I wish you and your mom well.

My buddy's mom fractured her hip in her 80s, and is doing amazingly well. Good attitude and help from her kids have her staying busy. On her feet. Walking without her walker. Be upbeat, and be persistant. Keep her active. Get her out and about. You have some work to do, too. Smile. She's you mom, and she needs you now. Don't be bitter. It won't help. Good Luck, I wish you well. "

reason-ator wrote on Aug 12, 2008 2:17 AM:

" mgrans,

as an example of the how we were criticizing the accuracy of the info in the article, there's another story that says your 84-year-old mother is 86.

The Ferrari DID indeed end up being a Lamborghini, and the driver did indeed literally throw his wife under the bus.

Best Wishes to your mother. "

mominapa wrote on Aug 12, 2008 11:02 AM:

" OK, Carlos Villatoro, you wrote the item, but who proofread it? Which was it - a Ferrari or a Lamborghini? Only a tourist would turn left there. "

laurendelacey wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:22 PM:

" I didn't see the accident but I was a couple cars away from the accident and passed threw before any emergency vechiles. It was a lambo and 120 mph on that street is ridiculous! "

Nina wrote on Aug 12, 2008 4:09 PM:

" I suspect this will be another "red ink" situation for the Queen of the Valley too. If the couple is from Europe, they won't be expecting a multi-thousand dollar bill. And the innocent 84 yr old will be covered by Medicare, which apparently doesn't reimburse enough to cover costs. Personnaly, I think the sport car driver should pay the entire hospital fee. Trust me, I drive on Zinfandel Lane 5 days a week and it's not easy to collide with the bus! "

msinformd wrote on Aug 25, 2008 2:38 PM:

" Glad to read more resently that the wife's injuries not that bad. "

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