Two die in canal after crash
| Sunday, Mar 07 2010 01:10 PM
Last Updated Sunday, Mar 07 2010 01:10 PM
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A Kern County firefighter examines a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser involved in a fatal wreck. The driver broadsided an SUV, sending it into the canal, California Highway Patrol officials said. Two people in the SUV died as it submerged in water.
Josh Rubenking and his wife Brooke watch as rescue workers try to free a SUV Saturday night submerged in a canal in Shafter. Josh jumped in and tried to save two people trapped in the car, but couldn't. They died. "I just wish we could have gotten them out," Brooke Rubenking said.
A day of fun watching dragsters race at the Auto Club Famoso Raceway turned into tragedy Saturday night when a driver of a Chrysler PT Cruiser slammed into an SUV and sent it into a canal, officials say. Two passengers died.
Initial reports indicated the PT Cruiser ran a stop sign, but a California Highway Patrol news release issued Sunday morning said the car had stopped at the posted sign before broadsiding the SUV within the intersection of Lerdo Highway and Zerker Road outside Shafter.
Two people trapped inside the SUV died as it submerged just after 6 p.m. The driver escaped with injuries, and three others in the Chrysler were taken to the hospital with injuries, California Highway Patrol officials said.
Thirty-six-year-old Robert Junyor died in the crash, his family said, along with his girlfriend, 43-year-old Brentina Dawn French of Bakersfield.
Junyor’s lifelong friend and driver of the 1997 Isuzu Rodeo, Brian Jones, managed to escape but was sent to Kern Medical Center with moderate injuries.
A handful of passersby jumped in the frigid canal to try to free Junyor and French.
Josh Rubenking, 20, was one.
He and his wife, Brooke, had attended the March Meet at Famoso — as did the Junyor group — and were heading home to Bakersfield when they came across the wreck, he said.
Rubenking was one of several people who jumped in the murky water and tried to free the two trapped in the back seat.
“I just jumped in to help,” he said, drying off with a yellow towel provided by rescue workers. “They weren’t moving, and the water was up to their heads. I just tried to pull his leg, but he was stuck.”
Brooke Rubenking, who is CPR certified, watched from the side of the canal.
“I just wish we could have gotten them out,” she said, staring as the SUV lay submerged on its side, tire rims peeking through the water.
According to the highway patrol, the driver of the 2005 Chrysler, 22-year-old Anthony W. Snelson of Bakersfield, broadsided Jones’ car.
Snelson was taken to KMC with moderate injuries. One passenger, Felicia Cardiel, 20, was taken to KMC with major leg injuries, and another passenger, 21-year-old Anthony Barnhart, suffered minor injuries.
Sgt. Don Clotworthy with California Highway Patrol said at the scene it would take a few days before all details would be known.
“It’s a very tragic situation that occurred here,” he said.
Sunday morning's CHP release said no drug or alcohol use is suspected. The release also indicates no one has been arrested. The CHP is investigating the accident.
At 8 p.m. Saturday, the Rodeo was still submerged as the Kern County Sheriff’s Office dive team prepared to bring it to land.
Robert Junyor’s family members and friends gathered and consoled each other amid glass and car debris along the dirt canal.
Terry Luttrell, a family friend of more than 25 years, said Robert was an “awesome guy,” always upbeat and “always up for something fun” as long as it didn’t involve trouble. He was a fan of motorcycles and racing, he said.
Robert was like a little brother to Luttrell, he said, but meant even more to his actual brother, Sam Junyor, who sat on a downed telephone pole on the side of the road, crying, his hands covering his face.
“They’re like Mutt and Jeff,” Luttrell said.
Luttrell said he was glad people tried to help free the two in the Rodeo.
“They didn’t have to do that,” he said. “That’s an amazing thing.”
Robert’s sister, Suzie Junyor, wiped tears from her face as she gathered with her family.
“He was a great brother,” she said. “We’re going to miss him.”
