NELSON, GORDON R.

The State Division of Highways said Thursday it is alert to the two “wrong way” collision deaths at the same curve on Highway 50 near Castro Valley in less than a week. “We will do anything we can to prevent any more such tragedies,” said Charles Nordfelt, district traffic engineer. Nordfelt said his office is awaiting the California Highway Patrol’s complete and final report for details of the deaths three-quarters of a mile west of the Eden Canyon road interchange just east of Castro Valley. On Jan. 30 [1964] Sheriff’s Detective Gordon R. Nelson was an innocent victim whose car was struck by another motorist traveling the wrong way. Early Wednesday Henry Davis, 67, retired Oaklander, was killed when the car he was driving slammed head-on into a truck. Robert E. Berberich, 39, driver of the car which killed Nelson, and Sheriff’s Capt. James G. Dignan, 52, driver of the car in which Nelson was riding, both were hospitalized. A point of concern is where the “wrong way” drivers entered the highway.