Car Crash Kills Driver 2 Days Later

Photo: Tobias Titz (Getty Images)

Car crashes are a fact of life in the United States, and many of them end up fatal for those involved. It’s rarer, however, for a crash to cause a death days later — yet, that’s exactly what happened to a San Jose woman earlier this year.

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A 52-year-old San Jose woman crashed her car into a tree in the center median of Oakland Road two months ago, on June 15, and eyewitnesses reported that she ran from the scene of the collision–not cool. Two days later, police were called to her home after family members found the woman dead inside.

The crash was ruled a “significant factor” in the woman’s death, according to CBS News, and authorities marked her delayed demise as a traffic death — despite her ability to escape the scene of the crash under her own power.

As of yet, authorities haven’t released a specific time of death for the woman, making it possible she died closer to the June 15 accident than the June 17 date she was found. Car accidents are known for causing massive adrenaline spikes, meaning a person can feel far better than they really are — possibly accounting for the woman’s ability to run away before the pain caught up with her.

The woman’s death, while tragic, is a reminder to all of us that we can’t trust how we feel after a car accident. Always seek out medical attention after a crash, even if you think you’re fine. It’s one of the most important steps to take after you’ve been in a collision.