Head-On Crash in Middletown Seriously Injures Two South Lake County Residents
MIDDLETOWN, CA (January 7, 2019) – Two people were badly injured following a head-on crash Monday night in Middletown, authorities said.
The crash happened around 6:32 p.m. on Highway 29 near the Bar X Ranch.
According to reports, a 1999 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck, driven by a 62-year-old Kevin Schosek of Anderson Springs, was traveling southbound on Highway 29 near the Bar X Ranch at 55 miles per hour when it experienced a mechanical trouble with the headlamps.
At the same time, a 2004 Honda Odyssey van, driven by a 52-year-old Karen Brown of Hidden Valley Lake, was heading northbound on the highway, also at 55 miles per hour.
Schosek was reportedly distracted due to the mechanical failure of his headlights and he veered across the double yellow lines and into the path of Brown’s van. Brown saw Schosek’s pickup driving directly towards her in the northbound lane, without any headlights on, and swerved to the left in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision.
Schosek simultaneously observed the headlights of Brown’s van coming at him and realized he had crossed the double yellow lines, and he turned his pickup to the right in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision.
The pickup and the van crashed head-on and came to rest blocking both lanes of the highway. The highway lanes remained blocked while fire personnel extricated Brown and Schosek from their vehicles.
Both Schosek and Brown were transported by ambulance to Adventist Health Hospital in Clearlake with major injuries. They were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
One-way traffic control was in place while the vehicles were removed from the scene, CHP officials said.
Alcohol and/or drugs were not suspected to be a factor in this collision. The incident remains under investigation.
Distracted driving can take lives. Thus, it is important to drive with your full attention set on the road. Always stay alert and look out for cars weaving in and out of the lanes. Set aside all distractions and remember to never text and drive. A text or call can always wait, please do not put other people’s lives at stake.
We encourage you to speak with us today if you have suffered injuries caused by a negligent driver. At The Sweet Law Group, we understand the impact of accidents to the victims and the financial difficulties they have to go through. Our experienced personal injury lawyers will provide the best legal representation and guide you every step of the way until we win your case. Call us at (800) 203-3061 and let us help you obtain the compensation and justice you deserve.