Last week, truck driver Antonio Zamora was driving north on East 14th Street in San Leandro at 30-35 mph when he began violently sneezing.
According to the San Francisco Gate, Zamora lost control of his truck and slammed into a parked SUV. The SUV then went through a fence at United Auto Center dealership at 16230 East 14th St.
“The truck damaged a total of, let’s see, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 – a total of 10 vehicles at the center,” California Highway Patrol Officer Daniel Jacowitz, told the San Francisco Gate.
Authorities reported the cars suffered moderate front and rear end damage. No one was injured in the wreck.
Jacowitz said they don’t believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident.
“The driver related to us that it was very unexpected,” Jacowitz said. “It was a series of sneezes or several sneezes.”
Although authorities say Zamora was at fault, he has not been issued any citations.
“We do believe it was the sneezing and the inattention to the driving that caused this accident,” Jacowitz said. “It takes 100 percent of your effort and ability to operate a motor vehicle on the highway. We encourage people to pull over, regain themselves and their composure and then continue when they are ready.”
Sneezing accidents are more common than one might think. In January 2012, a truck driver wrecked his rig on along westbound I-24 in Tennessee. The truck driver told authorities a sneezing fit caused him to run into the back of a megabus.
In November 2012, a Canton, Massachusetts woman smashed into the back of a police cruiser. The woman claimed a sneezing attack caused her to lose control of her car.
In 2011, a Maryland driver began sneezing and crashed his van, killing his passenger.
Officers recommend that if you feel a sneeze coming on while you’re driving, to slow down as much as possible and try to stay in your lane. If you can, pull off the roadway.
Have you ever had a sneezing or coughing fit that caused you to have to pull off the road?