It all started with a Corolla hitting the barrier and ended in tragedy when another motorist smashed into the emergency truck that had arrived to aid an injured woman
2 hours ago
- Police arrested a 26-year-old woman for felony hit and run and lying to law enforcement after a fatal crash.
- She had been driving the car that the deceased was riding in moments before a second and third crash.
- The entire ordeal is a good reminder to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles.
In the early morning hours of June 2, the driver of a 1996 Toyota Corolla lost control and hit a barrier. It would lead to two further accidents, the death of one of the passengers, and a police investigation that unraveled lies. Now, authorities have arrested the driver and uncovered the truth about what really happened.
According to officials, the driver of the Corolla in question lost control and hit a barrier around 4 a.m. that morning. The occupants decided to leave the vehicle, which was disabled in the fast lane, in search of a safer location. That’s when one of them was struck in the head by a passing motorist’s wing mirror.
More: Tesla Allegedly In “Self-Drive” Mode Slams Into Police Car
The driver of the second vehicle pulled over and called 911. Emergency services arrived on the scene and began to render aid to the injured woman, Shanique Dickens. Despite having an emergency truck parked behind the Toyota with its lights on, a third vehicle slammed into it. Dickens ended up trapped beneath it. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Thankfully, the emergency worker managed to escape without injury.
The driver of the third vehicle was arrested under suspicion of driving while under the influence. Police then turned their attention to the driver of the Toyota who was, according to those at the scene, gone. Occupants of the Corolla told police that the driver was a person named “Tae.”
During the investigation, they found that “Tae” didn’t exist and in fact, the driver was a 26-year-old woman, Keoni Williams. It’s unclear why she allegedly lied to officers but she’s now facing two charges. One is hit and run after and the other is providing false statements.
The incident is also a good reminder that people don’t need a Tesla with FSD or Autopilot to crash into emergency vehicles. It happens far more often than one might think and as the result of inattentive driving just like in Tesla-related crashes.
That’s why the NHTSA has long promoted laws that require drivers to slow down and move over. Be safe out there. Avoiding injury in one accident doesn’t mean that another one, or two, might be coming down the road.