Crash still under investigation; Hollister driver in fair
condition
Hollister – The California Highway Patrol identified the second big-rig driver in Monday’s head-on collision on Highway 156 as Waldemar Chorowski, 38. The Chicago resident remains at Stanford Medical Center in critical condition.
Chorowski suffered major trauma to his torso and extremities when he was ejected from the cab of his truck after colliding in the middle of the intersection at Highway 156 and San Felipe Road Monday afternoon with another big rig, driven by Hollister resident Leonard Zapien.
Zapien was pinned inside the cab of his mangled truck for at least an hour and suffered trauma to his extremities, but he is listed in fair condition, according to CHP spokesman Chris Armstrong.
Police don’t believe either driver was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash, Armstrong said.
Crash investigators have been unable to determine who was at fault because Chorowski’s condition has prevented officers from interviewing him, Armstrong said.
According to witnesses, the two trucks collided when Zapien made a left turn onto San Felipe Road from Highway 156 as Chorowski traveled eastbound on the highway at approximately 45 to 55 mph.
One witness said the left-hand turn signal was green, while another insisted Chorowski’s through signal was green.
The accident closed the highway for hours and destroyed both trucks.
