Crash Victim May Have Suffered Medical Emergency

By Bay City News

Investigators believe a driver who died after crashing into a tree in Newark on Friday evening may have suffered a medical problem prior to the accident, a police spokesman said Tuesday.

The victim, identified by the Alameda County coroner's bureau as 51-year-old Palo Alto resident David Norsworthy, died at Washington Hospital in Fremont, where he was taken after the 6 p.m. crash.

Newark police Sgt. Manuel DeSerpa said Norsworthy was driving west on Mowry Avenue where it crosses over Interstate Highway 880 when he suddenly veered left across eastbound lanes, went off the roadway and drove down an embankment toward the parking lot of the NewPark Mall.

Before the car reached the parking lot, it smashed into a tree, DeSepra said. No one else was in the car, and no other injuries were reported.

DeSerpa said it is remarkable that Norsworthy's vehicle didn't hit any other cars as it crossed the eastbound lanes, especially since the accident happened during the evening commute.

"It's hard to believe," he said.

The crash remains under investigation, but DeSerpa said there is no indication alcohol was a factor.

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