Four Hurt in Highway 37 Crash

Two people from Berkeley had significant but not life-threatening injuries and two from Vacaville had minor bruises after a Sunday afternoon crash on Highway 37 in Novato, according to the California Highway Patrol and .

At about 1:20 p.m., a 2006 Toyota Prius was heading east on 37 about a half mile past the Highway 101/37 interchange and about one mile west of the Black Point/Atherton Avenue exit. The 81-year-old female driver pulled to the right shoulder and prepared to cross the center median and make a U-turn, according to a report by CHP Officer Kevin Kirk. The Toyota attemped to cross both eastbound lanes as a 2007 Honda, driven by a 31-year-old woman from Vacaville, came from behind in the fast lane.

The front of the Honda struck the front and driver’s side of the Toyota, sending the Toyota in a 180-degree spin, according to Kirk. It came to rest in the fast lane facing south, just east of the bridge that crosses Novato Creek.

The Honda careened into the center median and struck a guardrail before stopping.

The woman driving the Toyota and her 84-year-old male passenger both sustained moderate injuries, according to Captain Adam Brolan of the Novato Fire District. The woman appeared to have injuries to her lower extremities, possibly fractures, Brolan said. He added that the man had cuts and abrasions. Both were alert and speaking to rescuers.

The woman driving the Honda and a 11-year-old male passenger had minor injuries. They were treated and released from Marin General Hospital. A third person in that vehicle was unhurt.

All Airbags deployed in both vehicles and all four people were wearing seatbelts, according to the CHP. Novato Fire responded with an engine, ladder truck, battalion chief and three paramedic ambulances.