3 Dead, 24 Hurt : Rig Driver in I-5 Fatal Smashup Free on Bail

The driver of a tractor-trailer rig accused of causing a chain-reaction crash on Interstate 5 last Thursday that left three Dutch tourists dead and 24 others injured was bailed out of Vista Jail on Monday and ordered to return to court Oct. 15 for his arraignment.

A jail spokesman said Neil R. Adams, 33, of Campbell, Calif., posted $32,000 bail through a bail bond agency and was released early Monday morning. The amount was based on a predetermined bail schedule according to the booking charges, the spokesman said.

Adams was being held on suspicion of drunk driving, possession of a controlled substance and three counts of vehicular manslaughter following the accident Thursday night. The California Highway Patrol said Adams’ truck was traveling at about 50 miles per hour northbound on Interstate 5 when it rear-ended a van causing a chain reaction that involved three other vans as they slowed to pass through the U.S. Border Patrol’s checkpoint at San Onofre, just south of San Clemente.

Killed at the scene were Wonny Wooft, 28, and Wiem Jansan, in his late 20s, both of Holland. A third victim, Jof Richares, 48, of the Netherlands, died Friday of a heart attack after having been treated for his injuries, and the CHP said it would ask the San Diego County district attorney’s office to charge Adams with his death as well.

Of the 24 people injured in the accident, nine remained hospitalized Monday in five hospitals in San Diego and Orange counties.

Rita Ooms, 69, and Laurens Beveren, 32, were listed in fair condition at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla; Nebig Leeflang, 49, Elizabeth Bolenberg, 42, and Cornelius Pieters, 67, were listed in fair condition at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego.

Hobert Eitenboon, 37, and Wilma Bomsneck, 26, were listed in fair condition at San Clemente General Hospital; Hank Van der Geld, 45, was in good condition at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, and Arae Pater, 27, was in satisfactory condition at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo.

CHP spokesman Jerry Bohrer in Oceanside said Adams, who was not injured in the crash, also faces a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended license.

Bohrer also said results should be available within a few days of laboratory tests to determine whether a white powder found in Adams’ truck is cocaine, as believed by authorities.

Adams admitted to officers that he had consumed several beers at dinner before the accident, authorities said.