DiabloScott

DANVILLE -- A woman found dead at the bottom of a steep embankment near the south entrance of Mt. Diablo State Park was identified by the Contra Costa Coroner's Office as 58-year-old Loretta Hale of Danville.

Hale died Friday after driving off South Gate Road. Her black 2006 Land Rover tumbled about 300 yards before coming to rest in a rugged area a half-mile south of the South Gate entrances, fire and California Highway Patrol officials said.

Hale's body was thrown from the vehicle, said Mike Picard, battalion chief for the San Ramon Valley Fire District. The CHP is investigating the cause of the crash but has not revealed its findings.

Sounds like this is the steep drop-off area just below the South Gate Kiosk. Seems like a strange accident... driving off the road... makes me wonder if it was a heart attack or something unrelated to driving. Don't know if she was going up or down.

Only reason to discuss this inre cycling, is to imagine what you'd do if you saw an out of control car coming at you- how long would it take you to realize you had to do something, and then how long would it take you to figure out what you would have to do? If the car were behind you going the same direction you wouldn't even know until it was too late probably.

Ygduf

I had a motorcycle crash along the outside of a right-hand turn in front of me on Hamilton. By the time I realized what the noise was, the bike was past me and in the embankment.

If it had been really crossing my path, I would have figured it out right after I got my bearings after the crash.

VNA

In Sausalito a car without a driver (did not know at the time) crossed my path backward and hit my rear wheel and made me fall--luckily with no real troubles other than a bent rear wheel.

Obviously I was very lucky, but it happens so fast and you do not have time to think other than flee--which I did by pushing very hard on the pedals!--I did get a new wheel and my cab fare paid by the gas station manager--that gas station is gone now--makes you wonder!

Someone forgot to put the hand brake and in gear--from the gas station parking lot on a steep street as you leave Sausalito!

trooper2899

Re: woman above.....when they do a "post" they'll see if she has any blood alcohol or drugs in her.......could be a suicide.....maybe she just took a nap - if no skid marks prior to going over the edge.....maybe fell asleep......once they look at the whole "picture" they should figure it out

mouse925

Apparently there were two cars that left the road in the same day!
https://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?sec...bay&id=8429441

Doesnt really surprise me though, ive seen so many close calls of ppl driving badly on diablo including ppl trying to pass on blind corners when riders or cars are coming from the opposite direction, smh.

bjorke

clearly the auto speed limit should be something more reasonable, like, say, 12mph.

DiabloScott

Woman's deadly plunge near Mount Diablo investigated as a suicideBy Robert Salonga
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 11/16/2011 05:54:33 AM PST
Updated: 11/16/2011 05:54:38 AM PST


The death of a Blackhawk woman whose SUV tumbled down a steep embankment near south of Mt. Diablo State Park on Friday is being treated as a suicide, the Highway Patrol said Tuesday.

According to the CHP, the 58-year-old woman's black 2006 Land Rover went off the roadway Friday morning on South Gate Road about a half-mile from the park's south entrance and plunged 300 yards. Fire personnel she was thrown from the tumbling vehicle.

slydrite

Fixed that for you.

trooper2899

None of the "swell" driving advice, (speed limits etc), apply to "Kamakasi" drivers.