A 34-year-old man delivering DoorDash orders was killed in a head on collision Saturday morning in Los Banos. The victim, identified as Michael Qualls, died after another driver crashed into him at the intersection of Santa Barbara Drive and Linwood Court. Police said the crash happened around 8:10 a.m. while Qualls was working.
According to investigators, Qualls was turning at the intersection when a sedan traveling at a very high speed struck his vehicle head on. Witnesses told police the speeding driver was going between 50 and 60 miles per hour, which they said was roughly double the posted speed limit in the residential neighborhood.
Exclusive video obtained by local news outlets showed the sedan racing down Santa Barbara Drive moments before the impact. Neighbors said the street is known for dangerous driving and that speeding is a recurring problem in the area. One resident said that if he does not look both ways carefully when checking his mail, he could easily be hit by a fast moving car.
First responders arrived quickly and attempted to save Qualls, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said there were no signs of intoxication from the other driver, and no arrests have been made. Investigators are still examining whether speed or other factors contributed to the crash.
Qualls’ family described him as a loving and helpful person who was always willing to support others. A memorial has been placed near the crash site, and relatives have created a fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses. The loss has deeply affected the community and those who knew him.
The Los Banos Police Department continues to investigate the collision and is asking anyone with information or additional video footage to come forward. Neighbors hope the tragedy will bring renewed attention to speeding problems on Santa Barbara Drive and lead to safety improvements.
