Marina Resident Involved in Fatal Northern California Pileup

Bruno Storniolo, 30, of Marina del Rey, suffered minor injuries in a multi-vehicle crash in San Mateo County on Sunday that left one passenger dead.

Storniolo was traveling with two other men in a Mazda 3, a compact sedan, on Highway 101 in San Mateo at approximately 12:50 a.m. when they crashed into a white truck that was abandoned in the fast lane, according to Officer Art Montiel of the California Highway Patrol. 

Three other vehicles, a Ford van, a Honda Civic and a Honda Accord, also crashed into the scene, but none of the occupants were injured.

The Mazda’s driver, Fernando Martin, 30, of Palo Alto, sustained major head injuries and was taken to Stanford University Medical Center, as was Storniolo, even if his injuries did not appear to be life threatening. The rear passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. All passengers were wearing seat belts, Montiel said.

The San Mateo County coroner's office is still trying to notify the victim's family in Argentina, and has not released his name.

The driver of the white truck, which police had not identified at the time of the crash as he fled the scene, contacted CHP on Sunday evening. He told officers he crashed the truck into the center median, causing it to come to a full stop in the left lane. 

CHP is still investigating why the driver left the scene. Police have not arrested or cited the man.

Belmont Patch Editor Joan S. Dentler and Bay City News contributed to this report.