CHP Report for the week of 3/4/30
The following incidents are submitted by the Quincy Area California Highway Patrol as a tentative summary pending the conclusion of the investigation(s).
Major-injury accident, Feb. 25
At approximately 8:24 a.m., Erik Joy, 46, of Portola, was driving his 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup eastbound on Highway 70, west of Silver Springs Road, at about 55 to 60 mph. He was transporting one passenger.
Due to inattention, the driver allowed the truck to drift off the south roadway edge. The vehicle careened down the steep embankment, rolled over and then collided with a large pine tree.
Both occupants were wearing their seat belts. Joy sustained major injuries and was transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno by Care Flight. His passenger suffered minor injuries for which she was treated at Eastern Plumas Health Care in Portola.
The eastbound traffic lane was blocked by emergency crews. Caltrans handled one-way traffic control from about 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Portola CHP Officer C. Griffin is handling the collision investigation. Neither drug nor alcohol usage is considered to be a factor in the cause of this collision.
Overturned vehicle, Feb. 29
Rahatavian Matthews, 21, of Anderson, was driving his 2015 Dodge Dart southbound on Highway 89, just south of Indian Falls Road. His stated speed was 35 mph. It was about 2:20 a.m.
Matthews allowed his vehicle to travel across the northbound lane and onto the east shoulder. The vehicle collided with an ascending rock embankment and continued out of control, southward, along the ascending embankment until he front of the car collided with a tree. The Dodge then overturned and came to rest on its roof partially blocking the northbound lane of traffic.
The driver had been wearing his lap and shoulder harness. He sustained minor injuries. Matthews waited on scene for emergency personnel to arrive.
He was not using his cell phone during the collision.