Two vehicles collided earlier this week in the Hopland area of Mendocino County, California, leaving one person dead and two others in critical condition. The incident, which calls for the intervention of a car accident lawyer, took place just before noon on Monday, June 15.
The California Highway Patrol recorded the crash at about 11:35 p.m. on Highway 175, near the Harrison Street interchange. According to the reports provided by the agency, a 1999 Ford F-250 pickup truck and a 2002 Honda Civic collided head-on, resulting in no fewer than three casualties.
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Investigators gathered that the fatal victim, Francisco Tinajero, 32, of Ukiah, was behind the wheels of the Honda, heading westbound on 175. At the same time, the pickup was traveling through the east traffic lanes of the highway.
For reasons still under investigation, the operator of the eastbound truck drove his vehicle across the dividing lines, into oncoming traffic, and directly on the path of the Honda. As a result, both cars collided, causing severe damages. Francisco Tinajero and her 34-year-old passenger, Ruben Tinajero, both suffered multiple severe injuries in the crash.
When the emergency response crews arrived, they found the Honda driver unresponsive. The Mendocino County sheriff pronounced Francisco deceased at the scene. Paramedics conveyed Ruben to a hospital in Santa Rosa via an air ambulance. His condition at this time is unknown.
The wrong-way motorist, later identified as 20-year-old Justin Jimenez of Willits, also ended up with serious injuries. A helicopter flew him to a trauma center for treatment.
An investigation into the cause of the mishap is ongoing.
Victims of traffic collisions or their families should seek legal counsel from an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
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