MIDDLETOWN — A head-on collision killed two and closed Highway 29 early Sunday morning for about four hours just north of its intersection with Highway 175.
According to a Monday California Highway Patrol report, the collision happened just before 5:40 a.m. Clearlake resident Kelly Mankinen, 38, was driving a 1999 Volkswagen Cabrio north on Highway 29 when for an unknown reason, she drifted across double yellow lines into the northbound lane. Eldridge resident Brian Quinlan, 52, was driving a 2002 Honda Accord south on Highway 29, just south of St. Helena Lane.
The vehicles” front left sides collided, sending the Honda onto its right side. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers” speeds were unknown, according to the report.
Highway 29 was closed until approximately 9:30 a.m. between Butts Canyon Road to the south and St. Helena Lane to the north.
As part of normal procedure in a fatal traffic accident, toxicology screenings will be performed to determine whether or not drugs or alcohol were a factor, according to CHP officer Josh Dye.
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