The collision occurred on Silverado Trail north of Oak Knoll Avenue, about six miles north of Napa, at approximately 11:56 a.m. on Saturday.
Napa, CA – The authorities have released the identities of three women who died in a head-on traffic collision on Silverado Trail in Napa late Saturday night.
The Napa County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims as Vivian Bertolino, 65, Linda Wolters, 62, both of American Canyon, and Katrina Clarke, 65, of Sacramento.
Authorities reported that the crash involved a Mitsubishi sedan, a Toyota Prius, and a BMW SUV.
CHP Officer Marc Renspurger said Bertolino and Wolters were passengers in the Mitsubishi while Clarke was a passenger in the Toyota.
Officer Renspurger said a preliminary investigation indicates that the Mitsubishi was traveling southbound on Silverado Trail when it sideswiped the northbound BMW. The Mitsubishi then continued forward and collided head-on with a Toyota sedan traveling behind the BMW. The impact caused major damage, deploying airbags, and scattering debris across the roadway.
The driver of the Mitsubishi was arrested on suspicion of DUI, authorities said.
Original Story
Napa, CA – Three people were killed, and several others were injured in a multi-vehicle crash on Silverado Trail in Napa late Saturday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred on Silverado Trail north of Oak Knoll Avenue, about six miles north of Napa, at approximately 11:56 a.m. on Saturday.
Authorities reported that the crash involved three vehicles, including a Mitsubishi sedan, a Toyota Prius, and a BMW SUV.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the Mitsubishi was traveling southbound on Silverado Trail when it sideswiped a northbound BMW SUV. The Mitsubishi then continued forward and collided head-on with a Toyota sedan traveling behind the BMW. The impact caused major damage, with airbags deployed and debris scattered across the roadway.
Three fatalities were reported as a result of the crash. The rear passenger in the Mitsubishi was pronounced dead at the scene, while the front passenger was transported to Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center and later succumbed to injuries.
A rear-seat passenger in the Toyota, who had been transported along with three others to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center with major injuries, was also later pronounced dead. The driver and passenger of the BMW sustained complaints of pain injuries. At least one additional patient was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Authorities stated that the driver of the Mitsubishi, identified as 68-year-old William Brumley of Vallejo, was transported to Adventist Health St. Helena, where he was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a drug. He is expected to survive.
The suspected cause of the crash remains under investigation, though authorities believe impairment may have been a contributing factor.
Emergency crews, including fire personnel and air medical services, responded to the scene. A helicopter was used to transport at least one critically injured victim. The roadway was fully closed in both directions for several hours as investigators conducted on-scene measurements and cleared the wreckage.
The crash significantly impacted traffic along Silverado Trail, with both northbound and southbound lanes shut down and vehicles diverted to alternate routes, including Yountville Cross Road.
The incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Napa County recorded 859 fatal and injury crashes in 2023, including 158 alcohol-related collisions and 181 speed-related crashes, underscoring impaired driving and speeding as leading causes of serious accidents in the area.
Families who have lost a loved one in a fatal accident are encouraged to seek legal guidance to understand their rights and options.