GILROY
– A domestic squabble on Highway 152 put the safety of four
motorists in serious jeopardy Tuesday night.
GILROY – A domestic squabble on Highway 152 put the safety of four motorists in serious jeopardy Tuesday night.
The California Highway Patrol may file charges next week against Gilroy resident Kimberly Johnson for her role in a four-car accident that shut down Pacheco Pass for an hour and a half.
Johnson, 21, was the front-seat passenger in her 1993 Honda Accord. While she was having an argument with the driver – her apparently live-in boyfriend Jason Miller, 27 – Johnson activated the emergency brake, sending the westbound car into oncoming traffic.
Johnson’s Accord sideswiped an eastbound 2001 Ford Ranger driven by Lester Stachura, 30, of Santa Nella. Before Miller could gain control of the vehicle, the car also hit a 2001 Ford Focus driven by Phillip Shehan, 49, of Los Banos.
Shehan was then hit by an eastbound 1984 Volvo driven by Riverside resident Samuel Stein, 19. The accident occurred about one and a half miles east of Bloomfield Avenue in the area known as Soap Lake.
“There’s a very good chance charges will be filed against Ms. Johnson by the CHP,” Officer Brad Voyles said. “But nothing will be done until the investigation is complete.”
Voyles said the investigation could take several days since the responding officer is on vacation until next week.
Johnson could be charged with an infraction for interfering with the operation of a vehicle and causing an accident. Or, the CHP may file a misdemeanor charge against Johnson, which would require review by the District Attorney’s office before going to court.
Voyles said alcohol or substance abuse does not appear to be involved with Tuesday night’s accident.
CHP closed both lanes of Highway 152 from about 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Johnson and Shehan were flown by helicopter to Valley Medical Center. Johnson had an increased heart rate and Shehan was suffering chest pains.
“Ms. Johnson’s heart was racing faster than it should have been even considering she was in an accident and Mr. Shehan had a history of chest pains,” Voyles said. “That qualified them to be flown.”
Their present condition is unknown, but none of the injuries were considered life threatening, CHP officials said.
Miller, the driver of Johnson’s Accord, complained of pain in the ribs.He was taken by ambulance to Valley Medical Center, Voyles said.
No other injuries were reported.
