LAKE COUNTY — A 21-year-old Redway woman was seriously injured Sunday when her vehicle swerved into the opposite lane and hit an oncoming vehicle. Sara Champie was eastbound on Highway 20 east of Blue Lakes Rd. driving her 1997 Nissan Altima with no other passengers in rainy weather.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Champie”s vehicle was traveling at approximately 65 mph, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Champie was unable to maintain control of the vehicle as she entered a right curve in the road due to her speed and wet roadway conditions, CHP said. Champie traveled into the westbound lane and struck a 2007 GMC Yukon driven by 38-year-old Diane Ogden of El Dorado Hills.
Champie sustained major non-life threatening injuries. She was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital and then later transferred to UC Davis Medical Center. Ogden and her passenger, Celina Chouinarg of Elk Grove were not injured. Officer R. Hearn is investigating the incident.
CHP officer Adam Garcia said, “The rainy season is upon us and the CHP would like to remind motorists to check their tires and windshield wipers. Motorists should also give themselves extra time when traveling, increase their following distance and remember to slow down during inclement weather.”
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com.
