One Dead, One With Major Injuries After Semi Hits Car
On March 17, 2016, at approximately 1125 hours, a Mercury Grand Marquis, driven by a 67 year old male, was preparing to make a left turn from the stop sign at the intersection of SR-1 at US-101 in Leggett. A Freightliner semi-truck, driven by a 51 year old Willits resident, was traveling southbound on US-101, approaching the intersection at SR-1. For reasons still under investigation, the Mercury made a left turn directly in front of the southbound semi-truck. The semi-truck driver took evasive action to the left in an attempt to avoid a collision. The Mercury continued to travel directly into the path of the truck resulting in a broadside collision between the truck and the Mercury.
The driver of the Mercury sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the Mercury sustained major injuries and was transported by Laytonville Ambulance to a waiting helicopter. The passenger was then flown to Enloe Medical Center in Chico.
The identity of the deceased is currently being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in the cause of this collision.
California Highway Patrol, Humboldt County Sheriff, Cal-Fire, Leggett Volunteer Fire, Laytonville Volunteer Fire, Laytonville Ambulance, and Cal-Trans personnel all responded to the scene.
US-101 was reduced to one-way controlled traffic for approximately 3 1/2 hours at the collision scene.
This collision remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol – Garberville Area.
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All I want to say I was the first one there and THANKYOU to the lady that help me…to the the asshole across the street taken pics …..Just want you to know if that happens to I will be there to help you also….all I want to say to people put the camera down and help out……….
That’s a very dangerous spot I saw a really bad accident there oncce before.
It’s not dangerous if your not stupid
Once you hit 50, you should have to prove to the dmv every six months that your actually capable of driving a vehicle.
Scary this tends to repeat itself amongst elderly drivers!
RIP!
You should go pickle ur peppers somewhere else, both comments I’ve read from you this morning are completely uncalled for!
Hey P.P.! Put the lid back on that jar!
67 is not elderly.
I am so glad.