A Hollywood icon was killed on Highway 46 more than 50 years ago, and numerous local stories have given the roadway the notorious nickname "Blood Alley." The highway has also been a place of heartache for numerous local families who suffered or died from car accidents on that stretch of roadway.
An accident in may of 1999 captured the public's attention and got legislation rolling to widen the highway. Guy Waski visited 11 different hospitals over three months to see and support his brother and his family.
"Everyone but my sister in law was unconscious at the time," Waski said. "They were in various states of comatose or coming in and out of consciousness."
Miraculously, the whole Waski family survived. The other driver was killed in the accident. However, the injuries to the two Waski boys, at the time ages nine and eleven, were devastating. The family now lives in Colorado. 20-year-old A.J. recently got another prosthetic to help with one of the limbs he lost in the accident almost a decade ago. 21-year-old Michael suffered brain injuries, and his uncle says Michael has trouble leading a normal life.
"He's not able to work," Guy Waski said. "He's 21. He tries to go to school, he's taken some community college classes, but it really knocked him back. And both of these kids were straight a students when it happened. They were going places. It really took them out of their life game plan."
Before the Waski accident, a Hollywood icon caused the highway to be renamed. James Dean died on Highway 46 near Highway 41 in 1955. His Spyder Porche sports car was just a crumpled piece of metal after the accident.
More recently, two separate accidents killed seven people last month. The California Highway Patrol says the driver in this accident tried to pass two big rigs and collided with an oncoming car killing four people.
The Waskis and other families hope the new road widening project will stop future accidents. Guy Waski says he is glad the project is underway, but it's disappointing the decision took a decade.
