A young child died Friday afternoon following a two-vehicle collision and subsequent fire at the intersection of North Tantau Avenue and Pruneridge Avenue in Cupertino, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. The crash occurred shortly after noon outside the Apple Park Visitor Center.
Responders Treat Injured at Crash Scene
Santa Clara County Fire Department crews arriving at the scene discovered two heavily damaged vehicles, with one engulfed in flames, according to fire officials. Bystanders found an unconscious child, estimated to be two to three years old, and initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation before emergency responders arrived. Paramedics then took over life-saving measures.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Two-car collision and fire at N. Tantau Avenue and Pruneridge Avenue near @Apple in @CityofCupertino. Two adults and a child were taken to area hospitals. Tantau Avenue is closed in both directions. Please avoid the area and use alternative routes.
Emergency crews located a woman and the child suffering from serious injuries inside one of the vehicles, said Brooks Jarosz, spokesperson for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. Both victims were transported to a hospital, where the child ultimately passed away. The woman remained hospitalized with moderate injuries.
Witnesses near the busy commercial corridor reported seeing one of the automobiles spin and throw sparks as it struck a curb immediately before the fire broke out.
Deputies Arrest Driver After Collision
The driver of the second vehicle, an adult man, sustained minor injuries in the collision, according to the sheriff’s office. He was treated at a local hospital and subsequently released into custody.
The Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner will formally release the identity of the child once next of kin have been notified. Authorities closed Tantau Avenue in both directions following the crash around 12:45 p.m., urging motorists to avoid the commercial corridor and utilize alternative routes while the traffic accident reconstruction specialists investigated the scene.
The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information regarding the collision to contact investigators at 408-868-6637.
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