LAKEPORT, Calif. – Two children sustained major injuries and were flown to an out-of-county trauma center and four others also were hurt as the result of a Sunday morning vehicle crash near Lakeport.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:26 a.m. Sunday on Big Valley Road north of Stone Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.
Leora Hopper, 31, of Lakeport was driving a 2003 Chevy Tahoe southbound on Big Valley Road, with seven passengers riding with her, including 57-year-old Calvin Hopper Sr. of Lakeport, and six juveniles ranging in age between 3 and 11.
The CHP said Leora Hopper was driving approximately 40 to 45 miles per hour when, due to her speed – which the CHP said was unsafe – she was unable to negotiate a sharp lefthand turn in the roadway.
The CHP report said she went off the right side of the road, with the right side of her vehicle hitting an oak tree stump.
When it hit the stump, the Chevy spun around 180 degrees and came to rest in a grass field, the CHP said.
One of the six juveniles in the vehicle was ejected from the Chevy through the rear window, sustaining major injuries. She and the second girl who had major injuries were flown by a REACH air ambulance to UC Davis, the CHP said.
The CHP said the six juveniles who were involved included two females aged 11 and 5, who suffered major injuries; a 10-year-old female and a 9-year-old male had minor injuries, along with a 3-year-old and 5-year old, with the gender of the latter two not reported.
CHP Officer Kory Reynolds said the children who had minor injuries – specifically, complaints of pain – were taken to Sutter Lakeside. Neither Leora Hopper nor Calvin Hopper sustained injuries.
As of Tuesday Reynolds said he had no update on the condition of the children taken to UC Davis.
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Sunday solo-vehicle crash injures children
- Elizabeth Larson
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