A 24-year-old Campbell woman has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and other felonies for a wrong-way crash that killed a woman and injured her son on Interstate Highway 280 in Woodside on April 22, the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office said Friday.
Constellatia Martin is accused of the crash reported on the afternoon of April 22 on southbound Highway 280 near Woodside Road.
The county coroner's office has identified the woman who died as 54-year-old San Francisco resident Eden Palmer.
Prosecutors said Martin was driving a Ford Fusion north in the southbound lanes of the highway when she collided head-on with a BMW carrying Palmer and her 16-year-old son.
Martin then allegedly ran from the collision and authorities found her naked and lying down in a grassy area 150 yards away. She screamed bizarre statements, had red and watery eyes and rapid speech, and refused to take any sobriety tests before she was taken into custody. A blood sample taken later is still pending results, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Martin made her initial appearance in court on Thursday, April 27, but did not enter a plea. The case was continued to May 11 and she remains in custody on no-bail status, prosecutors said. Her defense attorney was not immediately available to comment on the case.
A GoFundMe account created for the family of Palmer in the wake of the fatal crash had raised more than $86,000 as of Friday, April 28.
The GoFundMe page said Palmer was driving her teenage son to a soccer match and that the family dog also died in the crash.
"Eden was a beloved wife, mother, friend, community volunteer and force for anyone who ever needed anything. It's time for us to honor Eden and rally around her family as they need our support," the account says.
Her 16-year-old son "suffered massive internal injuries and while making a miraculous recovery, he will have a lifetime of care needs," the GoFundMe account says.
Comments
Registered user
another community
on Apr 29, 2023 at 8:02 pm
Registered user
on Apr 29, 2023 at 8:02 pm
I wish this article had merely a brief update on the charges, with more emphasis on the family's community and friends who are providing support and comfort in the GoFundMe page. I know sometimes people skip the article and zoom to the comments so here is the relevant link: Web Link May Eden Palmer rest in peace.
Registered user
Professorville
on Apr 29, 2023 at 8:16 pm
Registered user
on Apr 29, 2023 at 8:16 pm
I honestly try to be measured about these things, and a 20-something going to jail for the rest of her life is a tragedy, but I sincerely hope she goes to jail for the rest of her life.
Registered user
Old Palo Alto
on Apr 30, 2023 at 1:02 am
Registered user
on Apr 30, 2023 at 1:02 am
This tragedy freaks me. Seriously deep and no words can convey my sympathy. I drive this stretch with my children weekly. To think and FEEL. We are not immune. Were they on their way to PA’s Page Mill ECR soccer field? 280. The less traveled freeway. And ... I had no clue to tragedy until personal family loss struck, in an instant. Similar to a heart attack. Like a 5th wheel trailer pressing on your heart. Cars and freeways are lethal. I don’t know if I’ll ever get beyond.,deepest condolences to the loss of life.
Registered user
Crescent Park
on Apr 30, 2023 at 7:56 am
Registered user
on Apr 30, 2023 at 7:56 am
[Post removed.]
Registered user
Another Palo Alto neighborhood
on Apr 30, 2023 at 5:43 pm
Registered user
on Apr 30, 2023 at 5:43 pm
Per MyFeelz point, I would like to request that the Weekly be sensitive to this family that has just endured so much, and separate this into two articles. I hope it’s not necessary to explain why.