Oct 13, 2008 7:42 pm US/Pacific
Taxi Driver Killed In Fiery San Mateo Crash
SAN MATEO (CBS 5 / AP / BCN) ―
A fiery crash on El Camino Real in San Mateo claimed the life of a taxicab driver and injured two teenagers Monday morning, police said.
Michael Earl Prescott, 48, of Redwood City was killed when his taxi was hit from the side by a car that ran a red light around 6:15 a.m. at the intersection of 31st Avenue and Hillsdale Boulevard.
Police said the 16-year-old driver of the other car was intoxicated, and that he fled the scene, leaving two passengers trapped in the burning Volkswagon Jetta.
Officers managed to pull the pair out, saving their lives. The two teenage passengers were taken to Stanford Hospital, and were listed in serious condition.
The driver was found nearby a short time later and was arrested on multiple charges, including felony hit and run and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
"Our officers found him hiding behind a building," police Capt. Kevin Raffaelli said.
According to witnesses, the Jetta was seen speeding as it north on El Camino Real just before slamming into the taxicab, which was traveling west on 31st Avenue across El Camino.
That intersection is controlled by a traffic light and police said they were also investigating whether the light was green for the taxi driver at the time.
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