LAKEPORT — A Lakeport man accused of drunken driving crashed and rolled his car about 11:05 p.m. Saturday on Lakeshore Boulevard at Hill Road, ejecting himself and his two passengers, California Highway Patrol stated.
A helicopter transported driver Jaime Luis Mitchell, 18, to the hospital for major injuries including facial fractures, CHP reported. Passengers Philip Patereau, 18, and Nathaniel White, 19, were also transported to the hospital for moderate injuries.
CHP stated that Mitchell was driving at a high-rate of speed while intoxicated north on Lakeshore Boulevard and didn”t properly follow a right curve in the road, crossed into the southbound lane and ran off the road into a concrete abutment. The 1998 Honda Civic Mitchell was driving struck several objects as it overturned, including two fences. Mitchell was ejected into the intersection of Lakeshore Boulevard and Penelope Court. Patereau and White were ejected onto the shoulder of Lakeshore Boulevard.
The Lakeport Fire Protection District responded to the crash where they found the three with various trauma injuries, firefighter paramedic Brian Hajik of Lakeport fire reported.
Lakeport fire declared a multiple casualty incident due to the number of patients and lack of timely resource capabilities. Hajik established MEDCOM, incident commander for patient transport destinations and pre-hospital advisory and contacted Sutter Lakeside Hospital. Fire crews identified and secured multiple landing zones for medical helicopters with the help of law enforcement.
CHP officers arrested Mitchell on suspicion of driving under the influence and causing injury to another.
A total of two chief officers, two engines, four ground ambulances, three helicopters and several volunteer firefighters responded, Hajik stated.
Lakeport fire, Northshore Fire Protection District, Lake County Sheriff”s Office, CHP, CALSTAR and REACH helped to safely and effectively mitigate the crash.
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
