Fatal Accident Near Hyampom

Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

On 12-28-2018, at approximately 1935 hours, Party #1 was driving Vehicle #1 (Dodge Ram) west on Hyampom Rd .1 miles east of Drinkwater Ranch Rd, at an unknown speed. While entering a right hand curve in the road, P-1 allowed the Ram to travel onto the right shoulder a short distance before he reacted by turning the Ram back to the left. The Ram veered back onto the road and crossed both lanes before crossing the south dirt shoulder and vaulting over the embankment. The Ram became airborne and descended for approximately 80′ before hitting the dirt/rock bed of Hayfork Creek with its front end. V-1 began to roll after the impact and, due to the fact Party #1 was not wearing his seatbelt, he was ejected from the Ram into the creek. As a result of being ejected into the flowing creek, Party #1 was carried down stream approximately half of a mile.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene of the collision and soon found the Ram unoccupied. An extensive search for Party #1 was initiated and lasted into the night. However, P-1 was not immediately located and the search was called off until daylight hours. At approximately 1045 hrs the next morning, Party #1 was found deceased and submerged in Hayfork Creek by CHP air unit H-16. Trinity County Sheriffs Coroner was subsequently notified and responded to the scene thereafter.

Party-1 had been drinking prior to the collision but it is not known if whether he was impaired at the time of the collision. Toxicology tests are pending.

Earlier Chapter:Search and Rescue Ongoing for Missing Traffic Accident Victim Near Hyampom