A Gilroy High School junior suffered life-threatening injuries following a three-car accident involving a big rig Wednesday morning.
Dylan Holler, 16, was airlifted to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas with major injuries after his Jeep collided with the truck while on his way to school, according to the California Highway Patrol.
He was later transported to Sanford Medical Center, according to school officials.
The accident occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. near the intersection of Lake and Shore roads just outside of Hollister.
According to CHP Officer Chris Miceli, the driver of the big rig was traveling east on Shore Road where a car was stopped attempting to turn left off of the road.
Miceli said the driver of the big rig attempted to stop and avoid a collision with the car when the rear trailer drifted into the westbound lane and into the way of Holler.
Miceli said Holler was unable to avoid the trailer and his front left side of the car hit the trailer.
A Dodge Ram pickup traveling behind Holler’s Jeep swerved to avoid the crash and went off the road and hit a fence, according to the CHP.
Miceli said there were no injuries to either the driver of the Dodge or the big rig. He said Holler was wearing his seat belt.
Though the accident is still under investigation, Miceli said drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors.
The Gilroy High School community was stunned with the news Wednesday. Holler is a running back on the football team.
Tweets expressing support for Holler has flooded social media in the last day, as friends, classmates and fellow football players from around the area reacted to the news.
“The team is hanging in there. It wasn’t easy hearing the news about their teammate, but they’re hanging in there. They definitely are dedicating tonight’s game to Dylan,” said Gilroy football coach Jubenal Rodriguez. “They want to play the way Dylan played Friday nights. He is always very passionate and left everything on the field. He plays like kid does outside with friends.”
His condition as of Friday was not immediately available.
Gilroy High School confirmed counselors were made available to students following the news of the accident.
Gilroy will play its final regular season football game at home Friday night. Players have already expressed they will be playing for Holler during that game.
“My hopes and prayers are with Dylan and his family. This one is for Dylan and Holler family,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said the night after the accident, the team captains didn’t want to alter their routine.
“I met with squad leaders and captains before practice,” Rodriguez said. “Without giving my opinions about how to move forward, they immediately said they wanted to practice that day.”
