San Benito Co., CA (February 24, 2026) – A solo-vehicle crash involving two adults and two young children resulted in major injuries Saturday evening along State Route 156 in San Benito County.. The crash occurred around 4:42 p.m. on February 21, on SR-156 eastbound just east of Cathedral Oak Road. Initial reports indicated a vehicle had gone off the roadway and struck a tree.. All occupants were able to exit the vehicle after the impact. The group included two adults, a one-year-old child, and a five-year-old child.. One adult was transported by ambulance to Natividad Medical Center. The second adult was also taken to the same hospital for treatment. Two children, identified as Ezra Santos, born October 3, 2019, and Aiyana Santos, born July 10, 2025, were airlifted to a hospital in San Jose for further care.. Westbound lanes were temporarily shut down as emergency units worked at the scene. The roadway was later reopened after the vehicle was removed.. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available. We are thinking of those injured as they receive medical care.. How Tree Collisions on Rural Highways Can Lead to Severe Injuries in California. When a vehicle leaves the roadway and strikes a fixed object like a tree, the force of impact can be significant. Unlike collisions with other vehicles, trees do not move or absorb much energy.. Rural highways such as SR-156 often have limited shoulders and roadside hazards close to travel lanes. If a driver drifts or loses control, there may be little room to recover before hitting an object.. Crashes involving children can require specialized medical transport, including air ambulances. In serious cases, patients may be taken to trauma centers in nearby cities to receive a higher level of care.
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