CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A Eureka man suffered major injuries in a crash on Friday near Clearlake Oaks.
Terrance M. L. Reeves, 29, suffered lower extremity trauma as a result of the crash, which occurred on Highway 20 half a mile west of Olson Road at 4:10 p.m. Friday, according to a Saturday report from the California Highway Patrol.
Reeves was driving a 2012 Ford Mustang with 35-year-old Eureka resident Jessica Hennings as riding as his passenger, the CHP reported.
The CHP said Reeves was headed westbound on Highway 20 and was traveling through a curve at a reported speed of 45 miles per hour, followed by 37-year-old Brian M. Airehart of Durham, who was driving a 2003 Toyota 4Runner.
Richard D. Cepuch 52, of Hidden Valley Lake, was driving a 2000 Mack dump truck eastbound at a stated speed of 42 miles per hour, slowing for the same curve through which Reeves was traveling, the CHP said.
For reasons still under investigation, the Mustang drifted into the opposing lane and into the path of the dump truck, the report explained.
Cepuch, according to the CHP, attempted to avoid the collision but could not, and the left front of the dump truck struck the left front of the Mustang.
The Mustang came to rest against the north hillside, partially within the westbound traffic lane, while the Mack dump truck came to rest facing a southerly direction, partially within the eastbound traffic lane and on the shoulder, the CHP said. Airehart moved his vehicle to the shoulder west of the collision.
Emergency crews soon arrived on scene and extricated Reeves with special equipment, the CHP said. Hennings was able to get out of the car after the collision, having sustained minor injuries, including a seat belt abrasion.
Paramedics stabilized Reeves before he was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital via REACH air ambulance, the CHP said.
Neither Cepuch nor Airehart were injured, with Cepuch working to contain a diesel spill from a ruptured fuel tank as a result of the collision, the CHP said. Radio reports indicated Lake County Environmental Health responded to assist with handling the 40-gallon spill.
The CHP said the debris from the collision struck Airehart’s vehicle, causing minor scratches to the bumper and a possible chip in the windshield.
All four people involved in the crash were wearing their seat belts, according to the report.