CLEARLAKE — A Clearlake man suffered major injuries Thursday as a result of a vehicle collision involving the ATV he was driving and a Chevy Cavalier he allegedly hit.
Laurence Mendes, 44, was flown from the Clearlake Park area where the collision occurred via air ambulance to an out-of-county medical facility for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.
According to Clearlake Police Sgt. T. Hobbs, at approximately 4:59 p.m. Mendes was traveling northbound on Sixth Street at a high-rate of speed approaching Oak Street while Bruce Wells, 22, of Clearlake was traveling eastbound on Oak Street approaching Sixth Street.
Hobbs said that Mendes failed to stop at the posted stop sign in his path of travel and continued through the intersection at a high rate of speed.
He said Wells did not have a stop sign posted in his path of travel.
Hobbs said Mendes ran the stop sign and his ATV struck the front passenger side of the red Cavalier that Wells was driving.
Mendes, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from the three-wheeler and sustained major head trauma.
Lake County Fire Protection District medical personnel responded to the scene; prepared the patient for aerial transport and secured a landing zone in the Clearlake Park area.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call directly at 994-6444, ext. 14.
