Deadly Crash on Highway 101
On Sunday, September 12, 2021, a 29-year-old man from Covelo was killed, and four other people suffered injuries in a head-on collision that occurred on Highway 101 North in Mendocino County, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Details of the Mendocino County Incident
At approximately 11:00 a.m. in the vicinity of the Ridgewood Scale Facility, the crash occurred. Police were dispatched to the major accident at 11:04 a.m. This particular section of highway spans the lightly populated area between the cities of Willits and Ukiah. A 29-year-old man had been driving a 2000 Acura Integra northbound on the highway when he crossed the double yellow lines for unknown reasons. After doing so, his Acura crashed into a 2009 Dodge Ram that was traveling south on the same stretch of road. At the time of the impact, both vehicles had been traveling at around 70 miles per hour. The impact was to the front drivers’ sides of both vehicles.
After the initial impact, the Dodge truck crashed into a guardrail, then flipped. The Acura came to rest in the number two lane of Highway 101 South, according to the CHP report.
Several Injuries Reported
A 29-year-old woman from Olivehurst had been driving the Dodge Ram. She suffered major injuries in the crash. There were three passengers in her truck, ages 9, 7, and 4. Thankfully the young passengers were reported to have sustained only minor injuries. The occupants of the Dodge were transported to Health Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits, according to the CHP.
Acura Driver Pronounced Dead
The Acura Integra sustained major passenger compartment intrusion in the violent crash. The driver of the Acura was declared dead at the scene at 11:08 a.m. after he was extricated from the vehicle.
Mendocino County Crash Investigation Continues
Following site analysis and clean-up, the Ukiah Area CHP continued investigating the cause of the collision. They did reveal that drugs and/or alcohol were not determined to have played a role. Anyone with information about events leading to the crash is asked to call the Ukiah CHP office at (707) 467-4420.
Surviving Head-On Highway Crashes
Given the forces of impact involved with two vehicles traveling at 70 miles per hour and crashing into each other head-on, it is close to a miracle that anyone survived the crash. Some safety studies have shown that the chance of surviving a head-on crash at 70 mph is only twenty-five percent. That the child passengers in the Dodge sustained only minor injuries is likely a testament to the effectiveness of child safety restraints.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below explains the forces of impact involved in car crashes.
Willits Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading our report on this tragic car crash in Mendocino County. I’m Ed Smith, a Willits personal injury lawyer. Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased driver, and we are hoping for a swift and total recovery for the injured woman and kids. Unfortunately, incidents such as this are not uncommon. Every day on Northern California roads and highways, accidents occur that cause injury and wrongful deaths. Following such a crash, the injured person or remaining family members can be confronted with financial problems that stem from the accident. If you or your family has been harmed by a negligent driver, please take a moment to call our office and speak with a compassionate injury lawyer. Dial (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900 – we are happy to offer free and friendly legal advice.
We know that the search for the right attorney can be intimidating. At the sites linked below, many of our prior clients have written reviews about our services:
Photo: by Pixel2013 via Pixabay
mm llo [cs 652]