Sunnyvale Woman, 72, Dies in Series of I-280 Crashes

A 72-year-old Sunnyvale woman died Tuesday after rear-ending a big-rig parked on the shoulder of I-280 that had pulled over to help the driver of another .

The first accident had already snarled traffic on southbound I-280 at Wolfe Road, closing the two right lanes when a truck carrying two trailers full of dirt lost control and tipped over spilling dirt in to the two right-hand lanes about 11:05 a.m.

The driver of a second big-rig also with two trailers of dirt pulled over to help the first driver, according to CHP Officer D.J. Sarabia. It is unknown at this time if the two truck drivers knew one another or worked for the same company.

Within minutes the woman, who was driving a 1991 blue-colored Buick Regal was in the lane second from the left traveling at about 65 miles-per-hour when she first maneuvered to the far left lane then quickly moved back to the right. She rear-ended the second parked truck and died instantly, Sarabia said.

The woman’s name is not being released until next of kin has been notified.

All lanes were cleared and re-opened at about 2 p.m.