One Dead and Injured in Head-On Collision near Anita Avenue
CHICO, CA (March 9, 2018) – On Friday afternoon, an elderly man died after his vehicle crashed head-on with a Cal Fire pickup truck on Highway 99, just north of Chico.
77-year-old Robert Roder was traveling south on Highway 99 in a 1992 Geo Prizm, just north of Anita Road. At around 2:10 PM, his vehicle swerved onto the right shoulder of the highway, about 300 feet.
The Geo then struck a road sign and overcorrected, crossing into the northbound lane of the highway and crashing head-on with a northbound 2009 Dodge Ram Cal Fire pickup truck. Occupants of the Cal Fire vehicle, Cody McNamara of Anderson and Greg Babcock of Redding, were injured and rushed to the Enloe Medical Center for treatment.
They were reportedly in stable condition later that afternoon.
Additional Cal Fire personnel arrived and attempted to save Roder’s life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. It was not immediately confirmed why Roder allowed his car to travel on the shoulder of the highway before hitting a road sign and driving into oncoming traffic.
Highway 99 was closed off under one-way traffic control for several hours after the crash as authorities investigated. The California Highway Patrol’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team assisted with the investigation. It was not immediately clear if drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident.
We at Sweet Law Group offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Robert Roder. May they find support and comfort in this difficult time.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious auto accident, contact the experienced attorneys at Sweet Law Group. Our firm has over 40 years of experience in the field, and have dealt with cases including personal injury, car crashes, wrongful death, and disability. We are available to clients 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week through email, text message, phone, and online chat. Call (800) 203-3061 today and arrange a free initial meeting with an experienced legal professional in your area.
