LAKE COUNTY — The condition of a three-year-old who suffered major head injury in a vehicle crash on Spruce Grove Road last week has improved significantly, according to California Highway Patrol Clear Lake area. Investigation of the incident determined that the girl was not properly restrained in the pick-up her father, Ruben Gaona Cornejo, of Santa Rosa, was driving when he hit a power pole around 11 p.m. on June 11.
“CHP investigators concluded after a nearly four day investigation that included interviews and examination of physical evidence, that the three-year-old was improperly restrained at the time of the collision,” CHP Officer Steve Tanguay said. “The three-year-old was riding in a child passenger seat not designed to be used as a booster or belt positioning seat, which caused improper seatbelt positioning. This improper positioning allowed her head to strike the interior of the pick-up at the time of the collision.”
Cornejo and his other two passengers, an 18-year-old female and three-week-old infant were not injured in the crash.
The CHP would like to remind everyone with children to make sure they are all properly restrained at all times. The CHP has available technicians to help the public learn which child safety seat is right for a specific child and how to properly install the safety seat.
