Crashes on LOVR in SLO send four to hospital

August 5, 2016

In a span of less than 24 hours, three car crashes occurred on Los Osos Valley Road in San Luis Obipso, sending a total of four people to the hospital. The accidents left three people with major injuries, two of whom have been flown to the Bay Area and one of whom is facing DUI charges. [KSBY]

Around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, an accident occurred at LOVR and Turri Road. The crash only resulted in minor injuries.

About 15 minutes later, a three-car crash occurred at LOVR and Foothill Boulevard. A Chevy Blazer heading southbound drifted into the westbound lane. The Blazer sideswiped a Ford Fusion and slammed head-on into a Chevy van.

Firefighters had to extricate the drivers from both the van and the Blazer. Both drivers suffered major injuries and were later transferred from Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center to Stanford University hospital.

Authorities have identified the patients at Stanford hospital as Los Osos resident Douglas MacDonald and Arroyo Grande resident Mason Smith. MacDonald in undergoing several surgeries, and Smith is said to be in bad physical shape, as well.

Smith was reportedly driving the Blazer that drifted into oncoming traffic. It is still unclear why he drifted out of his lane.

The person driving the Fusion suffered minor injuries and was released after receiving treatment.

Around 8:57 a.m. Thursday, a red hatchback collided with a gold sedan. The collision occurred at the same location as the first crash — LOVR and Turri Road.

Investigators say one of the drivers in the Thursday morning crash was under the influence of drugs. That driver suffered major injuries and was arrested for DUI.

The DUI suspect also faces a felony charge for injuring the other driver. The extent of the second driver’s injuries is unclear.