MENDOCINO Co., 12/13/17 — One person died yesterday in a single vehicle car accident on US Route 101, about nine miles north of Willits. The deceased was the driver, and is only identified as a 64 year old woman, her name has not been released being notification of next of kin. A passenger also sustained minor injuries. The 2001 Dodge pick-up was headed south on the 101 near the turn off for Shimmins Ridge Rd. when the driver failed to make a turn and went off the road, crashing into a tree. The passenger got himself out, and was later taken to Howard Memorial Hospital, but the driver died at the scene.
The reason for the crash is under investigation. The California Highway Patrol, Little Lake/Willits Fire Department, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, and VeriHealth responded to the accident. The precise location of the crash is listed as mile marker 56.07.
Here’s the text of the release issued by the California Highway Patrol:
“On 12/12/2017, at approximately 1227 hours, a 2001 Dodge pick-up was being driven southbound on US-101 at approximately 65 mph, and at the south end of a straight stretch of roadway, prior to a left curve. The Dodge pick-up failed to negotiate the curve as the southbound lanes curved to the left. The Dodge pick-up crossed the solid white edge line and rumble strip, as well as the asphalt shoulder. The Dodge pick-up then descended the foliage covered hillside and the left front of the pick-up collided with a large tree. The vehicle came to rest off the roadway. The passenger in the pick-up self-extricated. The driver of the Dodge pick-up was trapped in the badly damaged cab of the vehicle. The driver was found to be deceased.
The driver’s information is “Withheld” pending notification of next of kin. The passenger, Edward Wilson of Concord, was transported from the scene by ambulance to Howard Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
The cause of this collision remains under investigation.
The California Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Little Lake Fire Protection District, Veri-Health Ambulance, and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office/Coroner.”