CLEARLAKE — A two-vehicle collision at 10:27 p.m. Monday on Highway 53 at Olympic Drive resulted in the death of one driver. Extensive extrication efforts were required.
According to Lake County Coroner”s Office, Carlos Eduardo Lemus, 44, of Clearlake was killed in the collision. Cause of death is pending an autopsy.
According to Clearlake Police Lt. Craig Clausen, a silver Subaru was traveling southbound on Highway 53 while the red, Pontiac Firebird Lemus was driving traveled northbound. For unknown reasons, Lemus allegedly crossed the center line and went through the intersection at Highway 53 and Olympic Drive where it collided head on with the Subaru.
Medical response was rendered by Lake County Fire Protection District, which requested extra manpower for an extensive extrication effort, conducted on the Pontiac. Battalion Chief George Murch said the effort took about 20-to-25 minutes. Medics transported the driver of the Subaru to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake (SHC) with minor injuries and complaints of pain. Murch said that a trauma code was performed on Lemus while en route to SHC. Lt. Clausen said Lemus was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Jeri Waddington DVM, of Lake County Animal Hospital responded to the scene for an injured canine, which ultimately died. Mutual assistance was rendered by California Highway Patrol officers, who provided traffic control as Highway 53 was closed for about an hour following the collision.
