One person was pronounced dead at the scene, and two are in critical condition after a fatal accident on Highway 101 in South San Francisco.
Zachary Katz, a 24-year-old Stanford student was reported driving under the influence when he was involved in a head on collision at 3:48 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.
Katz was driving on Highway 101 near Sierra Point Parkway when he crashed into a taxi car.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Mike Ferguson told media, “As far as we know, the two passengers that were in the taxi were not belted in, at least one of them was completely ejected from the vehicle, he died at the scene. There was another passenger that was in the taxi that was severely injured.”
62-year-old Pedro Soldevilla from San Juan, Puerto Rico was the passenger reported dead at the scene.
Carlmont ASB student Jen Anthony stated, “It’s never worth it, imagine all the things a Stanford graduate could have done with his life.”
The taxi driver, Azmach Ejersa of Emeryville, Calif. is currently hospitalized with severe injuries. The second passenger is also hospitalized in critical condition, but their name has not been released at this time.
Drunk driving seems to be a serious issue with the younger generation. One Carlmont student who asked to stay anonymous said, “A good amount of my friends drive under the influence because people just don’t take it seriously.”
Katz has been charged with a DUI and Officer Ferguson said, “He will be booked into county jail after he’s medically cleared.”
Stanford is clearly not the only school with students making the choice to drive under the influence.
Another anonymous Carlmont student said, “The matter is definitely not taken seriously enough, after my friend recently totaled his car from driving under the influence, you’d think he and his friends would take that into perspective and stop, but they continue to do so.”
Driving under the influence is a more common occurrence than suspected. Educating people about the seriousness of the issue clearly needs to happen.
