The deadly crash occurred on Highway 101, just south of University Avenue
EAST PALO ALTO, CA, (August 10, 2025) - A suspected drunk driving crash early Sunday near East Palo Alto claimed the life of a San Leandro woman and left two others injured. The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 72-year-old Pamela Beran.
Pamela Beran, 72, of San Leandro, was killed early Sunday in a chain-reaction crash in San Mateo County that authorities say was caused by a suspected DUI driver.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of an Acura rear-ended a Toyota Rav4 while traveling north on U.S. 101, just south of University Avenue, around 2 a.m. The impact caused a chain reaction involving Beran’s Subaru SUV, which struck the Toyota and then crashed into the concrete median. A BMW sedan also became involved in the wreck. Beran died at the scene, and two people in the Acura sustained serious injuries.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Drunk driving isn't just reckless—it's deadly, claiming 34 lives daily in the United States. All those deaths are preventable. In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA).
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a pedestrian accident case and prove negligence,” said Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney and a Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
Added Bond, the national analyst for The Legal Advocate, “The driver always has to take great care behind the wheel.”
An attorney will carefully review what may have contributed to the crash and has the resources to hire expert witnesses, locate witnesses to the crash, and review applicable insurance coverage.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of Pamela Beran may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected.”
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
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