San Jose, CA (August 27, 2024) Tragedy struck the community of San Jose on Monday afternoon, August 26th, 2024. A 47-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy both lost their lives in a head-on collision on Highway 85, according to reports. It happened around 3:40 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the highway, not far from the Santa Teresa Boulevard exit.
The scary ordeal began with 911 calls coming in, reporting a wrong-way driver on Highway 85 in San Jose. Reports indicated that 39-year-old Orlando, Florida, resident, Duncan McQuarrie, was traveling south in a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, in the northbound lanes. The pickup truck slammed, head-on, into a Tesla Model Y that was north on the highway.
Officers and paramedics arrived at the scene within minutes and found the two vehicles with major damage. Paramedics hurried to the vehicles, prepared to give life-saving treatment to anyone in need. Sadly, the occupants of the Tesla were both killed in the impact. With heavy hearts, authorities pronounced the woman and the 14-year-old boy dead at the scene. They found the Florida man behind the wheel of the pickup truck with serious injuries and transported him to a local hospital.
Officers are still working this case in an effort to determine whether or not the driver of the pickup truck had been under the influence. Both vehicles were smashed pieces of wreckage and had to be hauled away by tow trucks. Crews cleared the glass and debris from the roadway as quickly as they could, but in the end, the section of northbound Highway 85 was closed for at least 4 hours, according to reports.
Update (August 29): The two victims have been identified as Rebecca Joanne Olsen and her son, Charles “Charlie” George Olsen.
All of us at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the families of the two people killed in this tragic collision. We know this is a difficult time as you mourn this sudden and unexpected loss. We have an amazing team of legal representatives who are ready to offer assistance during this difficult time.
Have you or a loved one been impacted by this event? Our team specializes in car accidents and we are here to help. You can reach us 24/7 at (866) 945-4286 or visit our online contact form at Accident News Now.
