Burlesque performer killed in Crash on Highway 101; 10 Others Injured

A renowned burlesque performer was killed in a car accident in Burlingame, Calif., yesterday morning. Ten other people were injured when a bus loaded with partygoers hit a car, sending it spinning out of control and stopped facing the wrong way on Highway 101.

Sarah Klein, the burlesque performer who was killed, performed under the stage name "Sparkly Devil," according to the executive producer of the San Francisco Bay area’s Hubba Hubba review.

Holding back tears, Hubba Hubba Revue Executive Producer Jim Sweeney said "She was probably one of the greatest comedic burlesque performers I've ever seen, but she could also transition into classic burlesque (and) become this other glamorous person just by doing it. She was by far one of the most respected and beloved people in our community." She also wrote about the entertainment art form for magazines and alternative weekly newspapers, Sweeney said.

Sweeney said he was informed of the tragedy through Klein's family and friends. The producer of the burlesque troupe spent the day fielding Facebook and text messages from burlesque performers from around the world. Klein lived in San Mateo.

California Highway Patrol Officer Art Montiel said Raul Padilla, 43, the husband of the 36-year-old performer, was hospitalized in critical condition. Padilla was the driver of the car. Sara Klein, the passenger, was not wearing a seat belt.

One of the two people in the car was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Authorities have not released the name of the, but the executive producer of the Bay Area's Hubba Hubba Revue identified her as Sarah Klein, known on stage as Sparkly Devil. The couple had been drinking earlier in the evening. It was not immediately clear whether the driver was impaired.

The California Highway patrolman said the two were driving in a red Honda coupe on the southbound lanes near the Broadway exit at about 2 a.m. when the car went out of control and hit the center divider. The car finally stopped in the two left lanes facing northbound, the CHP said. The front of the car was hit by a party bus traveling southbound. Two other cars were involved in the crash. The patrolman said eight of the 18 people on the party bus were hospitalized. Two had moderate injuries and six with minor injuries. The driver of the party bus suffered moderate injuries. He refused
treatment at the scene and went to the hospital on his own.

All southbound lanes were closed by the accident. Traffic was diverted off the freeway at Broadway onto city streets. Two hours later, one lane was opened. The freeway opened at 5:10 a.m.
The accident is under investigation. No one has been arrested.

by Tony Sokol