Tuesday's wreck on U.S. Highway 101 claims life of Washington resident, authorities say
MONTEREY, CA, (February 04, 2025) - The California Highway Patrol King City says the U-Haul driver was reportedly impaired when he crashed his vehicle Tuesday night on a Monterey County roadway, fatally injuring two passengers and sending a third to the hospital.
Kayla Marie Smith, a 27-year-old Washington native, was identified as one of two people killed in a crash involving a U-Haul Tuesday night in Monterey County, according to the Highway Patrol.
One of the fatality victims was identified as 27-year-old Kayla Marie Smith from Spanaway, Washington.
Based on preliminary findings, 38-year-old Anthony Harvey was driving a 2023 Ford Transit U-Haul rental van southbound on U.S. Highway 101 around 11:47 p.m. when he drove off the west roadway edge, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. The U-Haul then ran off the roadway just north of Jolon Road and overturned down a steep dirt embankment. It was raining at that time, officials said in a release.
Smith and another passenger riding in the rear cargo area of the U-Haul died from injuries. A third front-seat passenger sustained major injuries.
Harvey faces multiple charges, including DUI causing bodily injury, per the CHP.
This is an active investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
The death of the victim underscores the dangers of drunk driving, which, most experts say, is 100% preventable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 1,479 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol in the state of California in 2022.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze any surveillance video from the scene of the crash, and obtain phone and texting records of the liable party,” said Bond.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Kayla Marie Smith may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Bond, a national analyst for Newsline.
“If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed at the hands of a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, our national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).