MENDOCINO Co., 12/26/19 — An elderly Lakeport woman died yesterday, Christmas Day, in a two vehicle crash on SR-20 near Potter Valley.
Janice Kespohl, 80 of Lake County, succumbed to her injuries at the scene of the accident.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Kespohl was driving west in the slow lane (#2 lane) on the 20 in a 2017 Hyundai, at about 5:30 p.m., just west of Potter Valley Rd. Also driving west, in the passing lane (#1 lane) was Cielo Alavezos, 24 of Ukiah. According to investigators from the CHP, “It appears that Kespohl attempted to make a U-turn from the #2 lane directly in front of Alavezos.” Alavezos car then struck Kespohl’s, and both cars came to rest in the westbound lanes.
Kespohl died at the scene. It is unclear if Alavezos sustained significant injuries. The accident remains under investigation and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.
Here is the text of the press release from the CHP:
12/25/19, at approximately 1730 hours, Kespohl was driving her vehicle westbound on SR 20, west of Eastside Potter Valley Road, within the #2 lane. Alavezos was driving her vehicle westbound on SR 20, within the #1 lane, approaching Kespohl from the rear. It appears that Kespohl attempted to make a U-turn from the #2 lane directly in front of Alavezos. The front of Alavezos’ vehicle collided with the left side of Kespohl’s vehicle. Both vehicle’s came to rest withing the westbound traffic lanes. As a result of the collision, Kespohl succumbed to her injuries at the scene. At this time, it is undetermined whether drugs or alcohol were a factor in this collision. This collision remains under investigation.
CHP
OMG…Jan has been a Friend for a very long time and it is a big shock to me to read about her death in the accident. EOW 12/25/19. Many will miss her. She was largely responsible for MCSO having Sheriff Tom Allman tending to us all these years. Sorry for her Families (Blood and Blue) and her many Friends. I am sure many…especially Sheriff Tom Allman and I… are heartbroken! May she Rest in Peace and know she left the world a better place for having been here. God Blessed us with her!
Oooh my goodness, since I live out of state now, if it weren’t due to social media and Facebook, I wouldn’t know about Jan’s passing. Even though I haven’t seen her since leaving MCSO, we have kept in touch. RIP my dear friend, my prayers go out to all family and friends. Be sure and give the boys a big hug and kiss from me. 😥♥️♥️♥️