Michelle Mao said she will be more careful when making left turns from now on.
The electrical engineering graduate student tried to make a left turn from North Campus Drive onto Central Campus Drive when a red van attempting to go straight struck her Honda head-on, according to U Campus Police. The van’s driver, Enrique Ortiz, had the right of way, Mao said.
“He was far away, so I thought I could turn,” she said. Unfortunately, she said, the red van seemed a lot bigger, a lot sooner.
Neither driver sustained any serious injury. Since Mao was at fault, her insurance will cover damage to Ortiz’s van. Her Honda has probably seen its last day, however. Mao said she might buy another car, as opposed to repairing her car’s completely crushed front end.
“I have to look and make sure there’s no one there,” Mao said.