Worker killed, another injured when driver veers off U.S. 101

Was the driver on the phone???

[Portion removed. Please don't speculate on what happened.] So senseless and tragic.

[Post removed. Please don't speculate on the cause of the accident.]

[Post removed. Please don't speculate on what caused the accident.]

The driver could have had a heart attack, but we don't know do we?

I was one of the two witnessed that pulled over. I also initiated the 911 phone call at 11:05am. I am a registered nurse who pulled over to help when I saw the Mercedes veer from the second to last left lane all the way past the shoulder. I laid on my horn to get the workers attention because no one was paying attention to oncoming traffic. I checked Mr. santos for a pulse and it was weak and thready. The driver was violently convulsing so I went to her aid. During the actual incident the driver didn't react to the incident. She actually drove very at an increasing speed, completely straight, not reacting or swerving, and not breaking. Since she was convulsing as soon as the vehicle stopped and her response when I spoke to her, the incident is consistent with her having a seizure... Which I didn't tell the investigating officers. She came to as soon as I opened her door and I asked if she was ok and told her not to move, that help was on the way. Her responses were consistent with postictal behavior. Her answers were one worded and as I asked if she was ok she responded "yes" and hadn't realize she had been in an accident. There was also NO stench of alcohol, nor did I see a phone handy or in close proximity. The was another gentleman that was injured but was able to speak so I instructed him not to move and for the other coworkers to continue to talk to him. Meanwhile another male and myself initiated CPR on Mr. Santos. With the way the body was lying, he had many non-life sustaining injuries. We continuously did compressions for 7 minutes until help arrived. As soon as the firemen got there we hooked him up to the AED and he was in "pulseless electrical activity" with a heart rate of around 20 so he was pronounced dead. It was a tragic event and my heart goes out to all the other victims. As I told them before I left, please teach out to those around you, seek help, do not keep this inside, talk to others, don't let this be your downfall. It was a tragic loss that could have been more tragic so be thankful that it was not.

Crystal, thank you for all the help you gave mark. He's been a friend of mine since highschool. Do you think epinephrine would've helped mark overcome PEA?

@steve I honestly don't think there was anything we could have done. . [Portion removed. We don't think this medical detail is appropriate for a Town Square comment.} Another man arrived on scene a few minutes after I did... He did not witness the accident but rather saw the other crew worker who had been hit laying on the ground. He was a trauma nurse for over 17 years. [Portion removed.] If you get wind of a funeral I would love to be informed. My heart goes out to his family!