A solo car accident occurred this afternoon, 3/13/19, around 2:30pm.
It happened on North Milpitas Blvd., right across the street from Milpitas City Hall and the Senior Center.
The driver had somehow lost control of her car, slamming into a street sign and a couple of trees, and knocking a fire hydrant down into the street. Where the hydrant once was, a gush of water shot wildly up into the air and fell to the ground below, quickly flooding Milpitas Blvd.
A team of individuals from the Public Works Department, the Milpitas Police Department, and the Milpitas Fire Department worked in unison to stabilize the scene.
“Our guys responded as soon as they could,” said Public Works Director Tony Ndah, motioning toward his Public Works’ team, who were busy shutting off the main valve to stop the flow of water. “Usually the fire hydrant and valve are closer together. But here the valve’s across the street. Which actually allowed our guys to stay dry the whole time.”
Through the few witnesses who saw the accident, police are trying to piece together what happened.
“We’re not 100% sure what caused the accident,” said Sergeant Joseph Heylen. “Whether it was texting or something beyond that, or distracted driving. Of course, her safety and wellbeing were more important than us holding up the ambulance.”
The driver of the car, a young woman in her 20s, was quickly taken to the hospital. She did not appear to be injured.
The Milpitas Beat was at the scene and captured this video: