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Two late night crashes on the weekend of May 9 involving a recently installed median near the new westside Starbucks off Fourth Street have prompted questions about what is supposed to serve as a safety enhancement.
Despite the accidents, Hollister city officials and community members that work near the median located on Fourth Street at the Westside Boulevard intersection say the median has not been an issue.
Hollister Associate Engineer Marco Martinez said the median was installed on March 27.
While police have had two reports of crashes at the median, City Engineer Christian Builes noted that both involved a drunken driver.
“It’s a brand new improvement. People are used to driving straight and don’t see the median,” Builes said. “That was one of the main issues.”
Hollister Public Works Director Javier Hernandez said following the crashes the city added striping to the area to help define the path for drivers. He also said reflectors will be added to make the median more visible.
In the meantime, the city installed two temporary orange delineators with reflectors in the front of the median.
Jesus Contreras with El Primo New and Used Tires said he hasn’t noticed any significant issues with the median, though he noted several near misses.
Employees from nearby businesses like Lupita’s supermarket, Camacho Tires and El Grullense Jal. also said they haven’t noticed a difference since the median was installed.
The first crash happened on May 9 at 11:18 p.m., according to a police incident report.
On a Facebook post, police said two people were injured in a vehicle rollover, apparently after the vehicle hit the median.
Police said the driver was operating the vehicle under the influence, adding that residents should arrange alternative transportation “if you choose to drink.”
The second crash occurred a day later at 9:23 p.m. when a sedan landed on top of the median. Police did not provide any information about that accident on its Facebook account.
Hernandez said the median was installed as part of the Starbucks project approved by the City Council on Sept. 3.
Builes said a traffic analysis conducted by the Starbucks developer identified the potential for drivers cutting across Fourth street from the coffee shop.
“That way you force people to make a right out of that parking lot and eliminate [left-hand turns],” Hernandez said about installing the median. “Unfortunately there are growing pains.”
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