Crash Snarls Downtown San Rafael Traffic

A three-car crash blocked multiple lanes in downtown San Rafael Tuesday afternoon, according to a San Rafael Police dispatcher.

The crash was reported 3:55 p.m. at Second and E streets.

San Rafael resident Brian Jones said he was sitting in his silver 1997 Honda on E Street waiting at the light when he saw a SUV traveling down E Street in the opposite direction, heading toward Gerstle Park, run a red light. 

The SUV smashed into the Prius, was launched into the air and landed on top of Jones’ car, he said. 

When Jones saw the airborne car flying toward him, he said the first thing he thought was to take his foot off the brake.

“I think it saved me. The car landed on my hood and pushed the car backwards,” he said. “I think if I had been braking it might have slid into the windshield.”

Jones, 32, said no one was hurt in the accident. “Everybody walked away.”

The drivers of the other two cars were female, Jones said, and each had a small dog with them in their vehicles. The dogs weren't injured either, Jones said. 

No injuries were reported by authorities. 

Only two lanes were open in the 1500 block of Second Street after the crash, the dispatcher said. 

–Bay City News Service contributed to this report. Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. – Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.