CLEARLAKE OAKS — Alcohol and marijuana are believed to have contributed to a head-on collision Feb. 15 in Clearlake Oaks. One woman sustained major injuries as a result of the incident, which occurred at approximately 10 a.m. on State 20, east of Mitchell Road.
According to a report by the Clear Lake area California Highway Patrol, Ricardo Medina, 19, of Nice was traveling westbound on State Route 20 in a 1991 red Chevy Blazer while Pamela Joseph, 57, of Clearlake Oaks traveled eastbound. Medina was unable to negotiate a right curve in the road and crossed into the eastbound lane where his vehicle struck Joseph”s 1994 Ford Explorer head-on. The vehicles, both of which sustained major damage, came to rest blocking the westbound lane.
Joseph sustained major, non-life-threatening injuries while Medina sustained minor injuries. Both parties were taken to Sutter Lakeside Hospital via Northshore Fire District ambulance.
Medina is reportedly suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol and marijuana at the time of the collision. He was booked into Lake County Jail after being released from the hospital. Officer Joseph Wind is investigating the incident.
