KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A truck driver died and three others were injured when a box truck and two vehicles were involved in a crash on Highway 29 Thursday morning.
Highway 29 was closed for nearly seven hours as the California Highway Patrol conducted an investigation into the wreck, which occurred at 8:15 a.m.
In a Thursday evening report, the CHP did not release the name of the 27-year-old Meridian man who died as a result of the crash, pending notification of his family.
Injured in the crash were 24-year-old Justin Brink of Clearlake, and Ukiah residents Monte Yttreness, 68, and Jeanne Yttreness, 64, the CHP said.
The CHP said Brink was driving a 2013 Mazda 3 southbound on Highway 29 south of Highway 175/Cobb when, for unknown reasons, he allowed his car to cross the double-yellow lines into the northbound lanes.
Driving northbound was the Meridian man in a 2008 International refrigerated box truck. When Brink's Mazda crossed the double-yellow lines, it collided with the left front of the box truck, according to the CHP.
After the impact, the box truck's driver lost control of the vehicle, hitting the 2006 Toyota Solara driven by Monte Yttreness, the CHP said.
The CHP said the box truck driver died of his injuries at the scene.
Brink sustained major injuries, including a broken left leg, and was flown by REACH air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the CHP said.
Monte and Jeanne Yttreness both suffered minor injuries – he had cuts to the face and she complained of back pain – and they were transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment, according to the CHP.
Anyone who has information regarding the collision is asked to call the Clear Lake Area CHP office at 707-279-0103.
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