LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — One person died and two others were injured in a solo vehicle wreck near Middletown Thursday evening.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said the crash occurred just before 4:30 p.m. on Highway 29 north of Western Mine Road.
Minutes later, CHP officers were dispatched to the wreck, the report said.
A preliminary investigation indicated the unidentified adult male driver was driving a 2003 Toyota Camry northbound on Highway 29 at a high rate-of-speed.
For reasons pending further investigation, the driver lost control of the Toyota and it struck a tree east of the roadway, the CHP said. Radio traffic indicated that the vehicle sustained major damage.
As a result of the crash, the CHP said the driver and one of two male adult passengers sustained major injuries. They were transported by helicopter to a hospital in Santa Rosa.
The second passenger — whose identification is pending next-of-kin notification — sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Cal Fire, the CHP said.
All occupants were wearing their safety belts. The CHP said alcohol use is suspected to be a factor in the crash.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Five Star Towing also responded to the scene and assisted CHP.
Highway 29 at the crash scene was reduced to one-way traffic control during the course of the on-scene investigation, the CHP said.
The wreck is being investigated by CHP Officer A. Sanchez.
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Passenger killed in Thursday evening vehicle crash
- Elizabeth Larson
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