UKIAH — A Willits man was arrested Wednesday by California Highway Patrol (CHP) Ukiah area following a collision that involved three vehicles. The collision, which occurred on Highway 20 east of James Creek Road sent several people to the hospital.
According to CHP, at approximately 3:26 p.m. Salvador Garcia, 26, of Willits, was traveling eastbound on Highway 20 in a red 2002 Toyota pickup. Garcia entered the marked turnout lane to allow faster-moving vehicles to pass. At the end of the turnout lane, Garcia allegedly moved back into the eastbound lane where his vehicle collided with the right side of a tan 2007 Toyota pickup driven by John Bednar, 72, of Redwood Valley.
CHP stated the initial collision caused Bednar”s Toyota to slide into the westbound lane of traffic where it collided with a white 2002 Chevy pickup being driven by James Foster, 26, of Marysville. Foster”s pickup was traveling westbound on Highway 20. CHP said Foster”s pickup slid to a stop on the north shoulder of Highway 20 while Bednar”s vehicle went over the dirt embankment to the north of the highway and continued to travel approximately 200 feet down the embankment.
According to CHP Garcia left the scene and was later stopped by CHP and Mendocino County Sheriff”s Office personnel just west of Willits. Garcia was arrested for felony hit-and-run involving injuries, driving on a suspended license and violation of probation.
Foster and his passengers, Misty Houk, 22, of Marysville, a 17-year-old girl from Marysville and an unidentified woman, 18, of Olivehurst, all suffered minor injuries in the collision and were treated and released at Howard Hospital in Willits. Bednar was initially transported via ground ambulance to Howard Hospital with major injuries and was then flown via air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
CHP stated that it was initially thought that Bednar also left the scene; however, it was learned that his vehicle went over the side of the highway.
