Coroner IDs Elderly Peninsula Duo Killed In Double Fatal Crash On Highway 1

POMPONIO STATE BEACH, CA – An elderly duo was killed in a crash along Highway 1 in San Mateo County on Thursday after colliding with a dump truck, according to the California Highway Patrol. The woman, who was a passenger in the couple's minivan, died at the scene, while the man died shortly thereafter at the the hospital.

The San Mateo County coroner's office says both Helena Vernak, 79, and Dennis Vernak, 83, died as a result of the collision. Both were residents of San Mateo and they were married to each other.

The deadly wreck was first reported around 4:12 p.m. on SR-1 at Pomponio State Beach, according to CHP Officer Art Montiel. That's just south of the community of San Gregorio.

"It appears a Toyota Sienna minivan was traveling east and exiting the Pomponio State Beach parking lot onto SR-1 when it was struck by a Peterbuilt Dump Truck traveling southbound on SR-1," he said in a news release. "The front of the Peterbuilt collided with the left side of the Toyota."

Helena Vernak was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel.

"The male driver suffered major trauma and was air lifted to Stanford Medical Center for treatment, however he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter," Montiel said.

Following the crash, the highway was closed in both directions for about 90 minutes. The Redwood City CHP office is investigating the incident.

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• One Dead, One Hospitalized In Hwy 1 Crash In San Mateo County, CHP Reports
  

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