Highway 25 safety concerns after deadly crashes

We’re learning new details about a crash on Highway 25 Monday night that hurt nine people and killed a Hollister man. The California Highway Patrol said Omar Carino, 33, was killed during the seven car pile-up.

On Tuesday, NewsChannel 5 found out more information on this deadly stretch of roadway.

Monday night was chaotic on Highway 25, as authorities investigated the crash. Initial reports said the crash involved five cars and a semi. Officers responded to a call out for a rollover and car on fire.

“There were no vehicles on fire. the smoke could’ve been from airbags, hot vehicles, things like that,” Officer Herb Kellogg said.

CHP said it later learned seven cars were involved and that it was chain reaction when the semi driver couldn’t stop his rig on time.

“We don’t know how much distance he had, how fast he was going. It’s still under investigation why he wasn’t able to stop his truck,” Kellogg said.

Monday’s crash was the second deadly accident on Highway 25 in a week. On Sunday, Armando Gonzalez, 37, was killed in a crash on the same road. Despite these recent fatal accidents, drivers who spoke with NewsChannel 5 said things have actually gotten better.

“It’s better, it’s safe now. There were a lot of accidents without the divider on 25. It was bad before,” said Manuel Castenada.

While many are calling for more safety measures on the roadway, even widening Highway 25, CHP said there are already plans in the works.

“They’re looking for funding and other ways here in San Benito County to make it a better roadway – four lanes, two in each direction. But that could be years down the road,” Kellogg said.

In 2013, there were 59 crashes on Highway 25 between Hollister and Highway 101. In 2014, CHP said there were 65 and this year so far there have been 36.