LUCERNE – Officials have identified two Northshore women as the victims of a double fatal car crash Thursday.

Chief Deputy Russell Perdock of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said Friday that Joan Marylin Johnson, 60, of Lucerne and Dawn Marie Anderson, 45, of Nice died in the head-on collision that took place Thursday evening along Highway 20 between Nice and Lucerne.

A California Highway Patrol report issued Friday morning said both Johnson and Anderson were pronounced dead at the scene.

Colfax resident Gary Harrington, 52, was driving the third car in the collision. He suffered minor injuries – the calf of his right leg was injured – and sought his own medical aid, the CHP reported.

The CHP report explained that Johnson was driving a 1996 Ford Taurus at a high rate of speed westbound along Highway 20 east of Bartlett Springs Road when the collision occurred at 5:55 p.m.

As Johnson negotiated a curve in the road her car traveled onto the right shoulder, causing her to lose control of the vehicle, the CHP reported.

Anderson was driving her 1987 Mercury Cougar eastbound on Highway 20, followed by Harrington in a 2007 Ford Ranger pickup, according to the CHP report.

Johnson's car traveled across the double yellow lines and collided head-on with Anderson's car and then into the front of Harrington's pickup, the CHP report noted.

After hitting Anderson and Harrington, Johnson's car continued out of control, the CHP reported, with Johnson being ejected from the car.

Johnson was not wearing her seatbelt, the CHP report stated, while both Anderson and Harrington were.

Responding to the accident scene were CHP, Northshore Fire Protection District and the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

CHP Officer Josh Dye said the Clear Lake CHP office had about 10 officers on scene, including Commander Dane Hayward, four officers – including Dye – a sergeant, a lieutenant and several volunteers.

“We had lots of help last night,” Dye said Friday. “Usually you're struggling to find help.”

Regarding the collision's cause, Dye added, “As far as what we know now, I don't think we have anything to indicate alcohol.”

Perdock reported that sheriff's Deputy Frank Walsh was at the scene to initiate the coroner's investigation, which included identifying the two women and notifying their families.

The coroner's investigation is continuing, with autopsies scheduled for the first of next week, Perdock reported.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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