The California Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle collision near Orick, California, that severely injured Duane Claunch, 60, of San Jose, and Mary Claunch, 59. The crash happened around 10:17 a.m. on Tuesday.
The car accident report released by the CHP Humboldt Office showed that they responded to a head-on collision on US-101 north of Bald Hills Road. When officers arrived, they determined that a 2013 Hyundai Genesis and a 2001 Jeep Cherokee collided.
Have you or a loved one been involved in an accident? Speak to a lawyer for a free no obligation consultation
Or call us at (888) 699-7975
Duane operated the Hyundai southbound on US-101, while 35-year-old Jamie Vaughn of Eureka traveled northbound in the Jeep. The investigators said the woman crossed over into the southbound lane and collided with the first vehicle.
Paramedics used an air ambulance to transport the man to Mad River Community Hospital in Arcata. Mary, a passenger in the Hyundai, and Vaughn, who also suffered severe injuries, received treatment at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka.
The Humboldt County Animal Control responded at the crash site and helped secure an injured dog in the Jeep. The CHP determined that the female driver drove under the influence and placed her under arrest for felony DUI.
Officers released Vaughn to the hospital for treatment. The highway patrol wants anyone with information to contact their office on the listed line. Orick Volunteer Fire Department, Redwood National State Parks, and Cal-Fire responded at the crash site.
The CHP also had assistance from Arcata Mad-River Ambulance, Klamath Volunteer Fire Department, McCullough Construction (Assisted with Traffic Control), and Cal-Trans.
Disclaimer: The Safety Watch article you just read includes information obtained from numerous sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, websites and press releases from law enforcement, the county coroner, fire departments, and other news outlets. While we strive to provide readers with the most accurate information, sometimes the information received is not entirely accurate. For complete details, please refer to an official police report.
The articles published contain sensitive subject matter that may be hard to read by some. We understand that losing a loved one is hard and devastating. Safety Watch’s decision to share the stories is to help others who may be facing the same situations by providing appropriate resources to the general public.