Ryan Ferrari, a 21-year-old Woodside resident, died in a car accident early Saturday morning, Nov. 28, after the vehicle he was driving hit two trees and another vehicle before flipping over.
Mr. Ferrari was headed home at about 2:30 a.m. when he crashed in the 200 block of Woodside Drive, said Sgt. Wes Matsuura of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
He lost control of his vehicle, went into the opposite lanes and hit a tree. He then hit another tree and crashed into an oncoming car driven by a Redwood City resident, according to Sgt. Matsuura.
The vehicle spun out and flipped, and Mr. Ferrari was pronounced dead at the scene. Toxicology test results are pending, but the preliminary cause of Mr. Ferrari's death is multiple blunt trauma injuries, said Robert Foucrault, the San Mateo County coroner, on Nov. 30.
The driver of the other vehicle, Jerad Tondino, was found to be under the influence and booked for DUI, Sgt. Matsuura said.
Mr. Tondino was not injured in the collision and it was determined that he was not at fault for the crash, the Sheriff's Office said.
Nearby resident Helen Steinberg said the accident occurred in front of the house of her Woodside Hills neighbors Shirley and Chuck Green. The noise of the crash woke them up and Ms. Green called 911 while Mr. Green rushed outside to help, said Ms. Steinberg.
Ms. Steinberg sent out an e-mail praising the Greens for taking action, and expressing sympathy for the Ferrari family's loss.
"It's a wonderful family," she told The Almanac. "The father, all he talked about was how lucky he was to have three wonderful boys."
The Greens could not be reached by The Almanac's press deadline Monday afternoon.
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Ferrari are pending, and are under the direction of Spangler Mortuary in Menlo Park.
Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
Comments
Menlo Park: Sharon Heights
on Nov 28, 2009 at 4:06 pm
on Nov 28, 2009 at 4:06 pm
This is a terrible thing. Deepest condolences to the family and friends.
another community
on Nov 29, 2009 at 10:06 am
on Nov 29, 2009 at 10:06 am
I cannot begin to imagine the terrible sadness the family of this young man must be experiencing...You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Woodside: Woodside Hills
on Nov 29, 2009 at 11:36 am
on Nov 29, 2009 at 11:36 am
It is a parent's worst nightmare. My deepest condolences to the families and friends of everyone involved. My son is devastated. Let this be a reminder for the upcoming holidays. My prayers are with them all. It just should not have happened!
another community
on Nov 29, 2009 at 5:22 pm
on Nov 29, 2009 at 5:22 pm
i find it interesting that noone seems to comment on the fact that not only was the kid DUI, but he was driving too fast. to mother of friend, it should not have happened yes, but dont you think it was something that WOULDNT have happened if he wasnt drinking, driving, and speeding? its sad dont get me wrong, but those who put themselves in these situations cannot be held unaccountable for their actions. he almost could have killed another driver in the crash..
another community
on Nov 30, 2009 at 6:12 am
on Nov 30, 2009 at 6:12 am
Please read the story again. It states the driver of the other vehicle was found to be under the influence. Not the young man that died.
Woodside: Woodside Hills
on Nov 30, 2009 at 10:27 am
on Nov 30, 2009 at 10:27 am
I was traveling and just heard this horrible news.
Ryan was a great kid. I'm so terribly sorry to hear this news and my deepest condolences to his family.
another community
on Nov 30, 2009 at 11:19 am
on Nov 30, 2009 at 11:19 am
Actually, both drivers were DUI but the article doesn't state that information and both drivers have wonderful families that are feeling the affects of this horrible nightmare.
Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Nov 30, 2009 at 12:36 pm
on Nov 30, 2009 at 12:36 pm
My heart goes out to the Ferrari family. No matter what the circumstances, this is a tragedy.
Two parents have lost their son and 2 young men has lost their brother.
I hope that all of Ryan's friends can honor his memory by wearing their seat belts, driving the speed limit and not driving under the influence.
My condolences to the whole Ferrari family.
Menlo Park: The Willows
on Nov 30, 2009 at 2:11 pm
on Nov 30, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Unfortunately, this is every mother's/family's worst fear -- losing a child at any age. I cannot fathom it. My heart goes out the entire Ferrari family. Never stop telling your kids -- DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. And be a good example by never doing it yourself. Take a cab, call home or a sober friend. No loving parent or friend will ever say "no", simply to avoid a tragedy like this. Driving under the influence is the reason people think they are invinceable behind the wheel. God have mercy on this family as they enter a holiday season like none before it.
Registered user
Almanac staff writer
on Nov 30, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Registered user
on Nov 30, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Just to clarify, there is no information yet on whether alcohol was a factor in causing this crash. The San Mateo County Coroner's Office performed routine toxicology tests on Ryan Ferrari, but those results will not be back for several weeks.
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office arrested the driver of the car that was hit by Mr. Ferrari's car on suspicion of DUI, but also determined that the driver was not at fault in the accident.
Woodside: Woodside Hills
on Nov 30, 2009 at 10:12 pm
on Nov 30, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I happen to hear the accident as it happened. My daughter had just safely arrived home. I knew the noise as within a few feet of this exact accident scene teens a few years ago hit another tree. I told my wife this sounded worse, to please stand by, and I took a first aid kit and flashlights to try and render aid. I found the 3 surviving young men in shock. The brother did not seem to know the street name---a clear indication of shock as he drives it daily. They had cell transmission problems so I called my home and had them dial 911 for the caller ID and tracking. I was unable to get to Ryan. The car was on its side and the front window would not give in to kicking. There was no way to reach him from the top and he would not respond at all. There was gasoline and blood around and finally I heard one of the young men yelling at 911 to please hurry. I probably should have done a better job of checking on the guys other than the main victim. Chuck Green and another neighbor joined in but 911 arrived quickly and were very professional. They were able to use tools to get Ryan out and check for signs of life. My prayers for him went from recovery of his body to ones for his soul as we learned there were no signs of life. I doubt he survived the crash with the tree. Ironically, I did not realize while trying to render what little aid I could that I knew the other driver as a youth (Jared) and work with his mom and know his family. They are wonderful people but Jared, who did not seem to be at fault, was charged DUI. My heart is so sad for both families, and though I did not know Ryan, I wonder what the world will miss without him. And what an unthinkable loss for the family. Hopefully his experience can help get the message across. The last accident where I went down in the middle of the night to find speeding (and I think drinking) teens hitting a tree and likely under the influence got no press attention. No one died. About 30 years ago my brother had an accident just up the same street driving up the divider. It is awful it takes Saturday's tragic level of problem to get attention and the message out. I have heard of families in other communities parking the smashed car at high schools to deliver the message to those who feel they are immortal at a young age. Let's hope others learn.
Portola Valley: Ladera
on Dec 1, 2009 at 3:14 pm
on Dec 1, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I can only send prayers of comfort for the Ferrari family. May they in some way find healing for them all. This is the second fatal accident in a month that my children have experienced, and I grieve for them too in seeing death so early in their lives.
I hope we can all set aside our feelings about DUI and speed and dangers to our youth to another forum, and focus on the family.
Menlo Park: other
on Dec 1, 2009 at 3:53 pm
on Dec 1, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I believe it is easy to point the finger- however, as a parent of teenagers, none of should say anything as we do not know what our children will do. The loss of this young man is devastating to the family. It is not normal for a mother and father to bury their 21 year old son. God Speed to the family....
Menlo Park: Menlo Oaks
on Dec 1, 2009 at 4:59 pm
on Dec 1, 2009 at 4:59 pm
This is not a forum for condolences to the family. It is simply a place to comment on the article in each writer's own way. Condolences should be personally sent to the Ferraris and not expected to be read here. I think it IS important to focus and comment on driving under the influence as it is quite pertinent to at least one driver in this tragedy, even if he wasn't at fault.
Menlo Park: University Heights
on Dec 2, 2009 at 12:28 am
on Dec 2, 2009 at 12:28 am
My hearfilled sympathy goes out to the Ferrari family. To loose a child so young is beyond comprehention. My prayers are with them and with Ryan. God Bless you all!!
another community
on Dec 11, 2009 at 11:43 am
on Dec 11, 2009 at 11:43 am
I am shocked to hear this news about yet another young person taken much too early. I am a drug and alcohol counselor in Redwood City and never see parents and their teens in my office for drinking/drugging. The news media broke with a terrible accident on Woodside Road and nothing has followed since. It is tragic enough of the loss but equally more tragic if the news cannot speak out to the truth and details so others can hopefully continue to learn more about teens/young adults, drinking/drugging and driving. I can count many of these stories in recent years beyone two hands now. When will enough be enough and more community forums for youths and parents to hear more about substance abuse and resources in the community to get help and to get the help for themselves and their children before it is too late? I extend a personal sympathy to the Ferrari family in their tragic loss that no words can completely provide any comfort to but to know my thoughts and prayers are continuing for your family and Ryan.
another community
on Dec 16, 2009 at 3:31 pm
on Dec 16, 2009 at 3:31 pm
To Andrea Gemmet.
If you don't have all the official facts then why not say that all test results for those involved in the accident are pending final determination by the police and legal authorities. Giving half the story is wrong for everyone because we are all guilty of being swayed or coming to a conclusion based on what the media tells us.
Registered user
Almanac staff writer
on Dec 16, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Registered user
on Dec 16, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Relative: The facts at the time the story was written are exactly as they appear in the story, and they all came from official sources:
--Toxicology test results are pending, but the preliminary cause of Mr. Ferrari's death is multiple blunt trauma injuries, said Robert Foucrault, the San Mateo County coroner, on Nov. 30.
The driver of the other vehicle, Jerad Tondino, was found to be under the influence and booked for DUI, Sgt. Matsuura said.--
I certainly am not making any assertions as to what happened that night, but I reported on the best information I could get from the most reliable sources I could find. I have no reason to doubt that the coroner's office is conducting routine toxicology tests, or that Sheriff's deputies had a credible belief that Mr. Tondino was above the legal blood limit for alcohol. If Mr. Tondino is found to have been mistakenly arrested for DUI, or if the coroner's office fails to conduct toxicology tests, The Almanac would report on that as well.
It's tragic that a young life was lost, regardless of the circumstances, and my sympathy goes out to the families and the young men involved.