LAYTONVILLE, 8/02/17 — A 61 year old Colorado man died near the intersection of Highway 101 and Spyrock Rd., north of Laytonville, this afternoon when his car collided with a tree. According to a press release from the California Highway Patrol, the man was driving a Subaru and swerved off the road, for an unknown reason, he was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.
The accident took place at approximately 11:45am on the morning of Wednesday, August 2, just north of the intersection of Highway 101 and Spyrock Road. The cause of the Subaru going off the road has not yet been determined, but it appears as though the car came to a rest on its left side with the right side against the tree. The driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time, and alcohol or drugs “do not appear to be a factor” in the collision, according to the CHP statement.
Traffic on the highway was reduced to one lane while officers investigated the scene of the collision, and the incident is still under investigation by the Garberville CHP office. Responding agencies included Laytonville Volunteer Fire Department and Cal Fire.
We’ll update with more information as it becomes available. The full press release is included below:
TYPE OF COLLISION – Fatal Hit & Run
DATE TIME INVESTIGATING OFFICER AREA
08/02/2017 11:45 Adams / 20886 Garberville
LOCATION WEATHER
Injury Property Damage
US-101 Southbound at Spyrock Road Daylight, Clear
PERSONS INVOLVED NAME – Pending Notification
PARTY NO.
AGE SEX – 61 Colorado Springs, CO 2006 Subaru
SAFETY EQUIP USED
DIR.
SUMMARY On August 2nd, 2017, at approximately 1145 hours, a 2006 Subaru was being driven by a 61 year old male from Colorado Springs, CO. southbound on US-101, just north of Spyrock Road. For reasons still under investigation, the driver allowed the Subaru to run off the west roadway edge down the embankment and collide with a large tree. The Subaru came to rest on it’s left side with it’s right side against a tree. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. During the investigation it was determined the driver had been restrained at the time of the collision.
US-101 was reduced to one lane traffic control for vehicle recovery and scene investigation.
The name of the deceased is being withheld until notification to family members can be made. Alcohol or drug use does not appear to be a factor in the collision.
The California Highway Patrol, Laytonville Volunteer Fire Department and Cal Fire, all responded to the scene. This collision remains under investigation by the Garberville CHP.
SUBMITTED BY: DATE TIME CORONER’S OFFICE CASE NUMBER
Officer Adams 08/02/2017 16:11 17-22271
CHP 288A (Rev. 4-13) OPI 013