The Santa Monica Firefighters Association has donated $1,000 to a fund it started for the family of a 2-year-old Las Vegas boy who was killed in a crash in the McClure Tunnel on the westbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway on Friday.
Noah Looney was killed and his 17-year-old brother suffered serious injuries in the crash, which happened around 12:35 p.m. Friday, according to the Santa Monica Fire Dept. (SMFD).
Two adults and three other children were also inside the minivan in which the brothers were traveling and were hurt to varying degrees, according to the CHP.
The boys and their family were headed to the beach from their Las Vegas home when the crash occurred, according to the fire department.
The CHP blamed the deadly crash on a truck driver’s excessive speed at a blind curve.
A 23-year-old truck driver from Panorama City, at the wheel of a 1998 International truck, approached the blind curve inside the McClure Tunnel at an excessive speed, approaching the rear of the 2010 Honda minivan, according to a CHP statement.
The truck driver slammed on the brakes, but was unable to stop and skidded into the right lane of the two-lane tunnel at the western end of the freeway. The swerving truck sideswiped the right side of the minivan, which had two adults and five kids in it, the CHP reported.
The truck then rear-ended a flatbed truck loaded with drywall, according to photos from the scene. The second truck had been at a complete stop, according to the CHP.
Noah Looney and his injured brother were taken to UCLA Medical Center, where the toddler was pronounced dead.
The driver of the minivan, a 42-year-old man, and the passengers – a 28-year-old woman, a 15-year-old girl, a 12-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy – suffered moderate to minor injuries.
They all were taken to UCLA Medical Center.
Speed was believed to be a factor in the crash, CHP officials said.
Speed limits drop from 65 to 45 miles per hour at the tunnel, and the posted recommended speed in the curve is 35 mph.
Traffic backs up into it frequently due to congestion entering beach parking lots just up the PCH.
According to the CHP, the McClure Tunnel westbound was closed for approximately six hours after the collision investigation.
Donations in the form of cash or check can be directed to: SMFF-Looney Family, 222 Hollister Avenue, Santa Monica, 90405. Direct transfers can also be made to Chase Bank account number 3095918057.
