Two Vehicles Found Down an Embankment
Early in the morning on Saturday, June 12, 2021, Redding Communications Center took a phone call reporting a car crash east of Salyer, California. The caller was an involved party. California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers from the Trinity River office responded to the scene and found not one, but two vehicles that had traveled over an embankment. The initial theory was that the two vehicles had first collided with each other, but upon investigation, it was determined that there had been two separate incidents.
Suburu Crash Results in a Fatality
The initial collision involved two Willow Creek occupants in a Subaru. Their vehicle had been traveling west at an unknown speed when it drifted off the roadway. It had been raining at the time of the incident, and the road surface was wet. The right front of the Subaru collided with an oak tree, which resulted in extensive passenger compartment intrusion on that side, which is likely what lead to the 68-year old female passenger suffering fatal injuries. It was also determined that she had not been wearing a seat belt. The driver of the Subaru was 62 years old, and he suffered what are suspected to be severe injuries. He was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka, more than an hour away from the Salyer crash site. Investigation continues to determine what led to this crash. At this time, there is no information as to whether drugs and/or alcohol were involved.
The Driver of the Second Vehicle Left the Scene
The subsequent collision involved a Toyota Camry. It was found abandoned close by the Subaru. The Toyota had also been traveling west when it drifted off of the roadway to the east of the Subaru. The Toyota crashed into a number of smaller oak trees before coming to a rest. Scene investigators searched both vehicles for evidence that the two cars had collided and determined that they had not made contact with each other. Investigators believe the second incident happened at some point after the Subura had already come to a stop. This is believed to be the case since the male driver of the Toyota made contact with the Suburu driver before fleeing the scene. The driver of the Toyota has not yet been located.
Witness Information Sought by CHP
The investigation is continuing, and anyone who witnessed either event or anyone with any other information related to the two crashes is asked to call the Trinity River Highway Patrol office at (530) 623-3832.
Why Did the Two Cars Mysteriously Crash?
With so little information, it is not possible to definitively know what caused the two vehicles to travel down an embankment. If the two vehicles had no contact or interaction prior to leaving the roadway, and yet drifted off in the same area, one may wonder if there was something about the road surface itself that contributed. It had been raining in Salyer, so the slick roads may have contributed, but it is still incredibly strange that two unrelated vehicles would leave the road in the same spot. Online commenters from this remote area of Northern California have speculated that Bigfoot may have been involved.
A more likely scenario is that the wet roads played a role in the accidents. Watch the YouTube video below for tips on driving safely in the rain.
Arcata Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading our report of these two crashes that occurred in Salyer, California, one of which resulted in a tragic fatality. My name is Ed Smith, and I am an Arcata personal injury lawyer. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car crash caused by another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation. Along those same lines, if you have lost a close family member in an accident caused by negligence, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. For friendly and free legal advice, call us at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400.
Photo: Pixabay
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