Rio Dell man Airlifted to Redding after Rollover

Rio Dell Man Airlifted to Redding after Rollover

I’m Ed Smith, a Redding personal injury attorney. A man was airlifted to a hospital in Redding after rolling his pickup on Wednesday, August 16.

What Happened?

Rio Dell resident Stoney Doetch was driving his 1998 Toyota Tacoma along Wood Ranch Road traveling south towards Camp 31 Road at around 12:30 p.m. While driving on the dirt road the Toyota pickup drifted toward the east side of the road and fell down the dirt embankment. In its descent down the steep slope, the truck flipped over and struck a tree. The vehicle stopped upside-down, pinned against a tree, trapping Stoney Doetch inside with major injuries.

Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue, Redway Volunteer Fire, Briceland Volunteer Fire and Cal Fire teams all worked together on the rescue operation. They were able to free Doetch from the wrecked Tacoma and get him into a City of Eureka Ambulance. Emergency medical professionals determined that Doetch’s injuries were serious enough that he needed to be sent to the Mercy Medical Center in Redding, California by Helicopter. They called in Reach Air Ambulance to transport the injured man.

Investigators do not know why Stoney drove off the road but drugs or alcohol are not suspected to have played a part in the incident. The Garberville office of the California Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation.

Gravel Roads

Gravel roads can present a totally different driving experience for people who are not used to them. A car’s behavior on gravel is very different than pavement because of a lack of traction. Loose gravel can shift around underneath a vehicle’s tires causing them to spin or slide. Weather conditions such as heavy rain can also change the surface and consistency of a gravel road, causing it to be completely different from what it was before the weather. Make sure to adjust your driving style to compensate for the loss of traction and constant changing of the road surface.

Monitoring your Speed

Keeping your speed to a safe level can help prevent loss of control while driving on gravel. Increase your braking time as the loss of traction will increase the amount of distance you need to come to a complete stop. Sudden changes of direction, especially at high speeds can cause you to lose control of a vehicle and end up in a dangerous situation. Be careful when entering and exiting turns. Entering a turn too fast can cause understeer and accelerating out of a turn too hard can induce oversteer.

Redding Car Accident Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Redding personal injury attorney. If you, or someone close to you end up in a car accident, please call me at 530-392-9400 or 800-404-5400 for free and friendly legal advice.

I have been working car accident, wrongful death, and personal injury cases all over Northern California, including the Redding area, for 35 years.

See how I have helped other people in your community who found themselves in similar situations on my past verdicts & settlements page.

My website, autoaccident.com also has great informational articles relating to motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, dog bites, and much more.

Rio Dell man Airlifted to Redding after Rollover