NICE, Calif. – A Napa woman suffered major injuries Wednesday night when she was hit by a vehicle on Highway 20.
Laurel Johnson, 23, was struck on Highway 20 west of Howard Avenue in Nice, according to a report from the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.
At 7:40 p.m. Wednesday Gerald Stahr, 78, of Stonyford was driving his 2006 Chevrolet eastbound at an unknown speed in the rain, the CHP said.
Johnson, who was wearing a camouflage dress, appeared to be walking eastbound on the highway in the eastbound lane, not crossing the highway. There is no crosswalk in the area where she was hit, the CHP said.
“Due to the dark, rainy conditions, and the fact that Johnson was wearing dark-colored clothes, Stahr was late to observe her walking in the lane to the front of his vehicle,” the report said.
Stahr applied the brakes and swerved to the left but was not able to avoid hitting Johnson, the CHP said.
Johnson's head struck the windshield of Stahr's vehicle, and then she rolled off and under the vehicle as it came to a stop, according to the report.
The CHP said she suffered unknown head trauma and lacerations and was transported from the scene. Stahr was not injured.
Radio reports indicated a Northshore Fire ambulance transported her to Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
When contacted by Lake County News on Thursday with a request for a condition update on Johnson, hospital officials said they could not provide it due to privacy laws.
Officer Glen Thomas is investigating the crash.
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