LAKE COUNTY — Monday began with a bang for California Highway Patrol (CHP) with multiple crashes and arrests reported.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. (CHP) Officer E. Paarsch made a traffic stop on a motorcycle ridden by Joseph Thomas, 27, of Clearlake for a registration violation. He was detained as an investigation revealed that he was not licensed and a false registration tab was on the license plate. During a search of Thomas, a large sum of money was located as well as other evidence of drug trafficking. Thomas was booked into the Hill Road Correctional Facility for falsely displaying registration and was released on $5,000 bail.
At 12:10 p.m. Scott Ekstrand of Kelseyville was driving his 1990 Buick La Sabre and was attempting to turn right onto Highway 29 from C Street in Lower Lake. Ekstrand failed to see an approaching 2006 Ford F-150 driven by Colleen Posey, 49, of Middletown who was northbound on Highway 29. Ekstrand attempted his turn and collided with Posey. Posey was transported to St. Helena Clear Lake Hospital with complaints of pain, Ekstrand was not injured. Officer R. Forslund is investigating the collision.
At 1:35 p.m. Kenneth Dossey, 61, of Eureka, was driving his 1994 Geo Tracker northbound on Highway 29 north of Diener at approximately 55 mph. For unknown reasons Dossey allowed his vehicle to drift off the west shoulder. Dossey overcorrected and traveled across both lanes and exited the east shoulder. The vehicle traveled down an embankment and struck two trees. Dossey was taken by REACH to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with complaints of pain and lacerations to his head and face. Officer M. Crutcher is investigating.
At 3:20 p.m. Santiago Ricci, 53, of Lucerne was driving his 1980 Ford F-150, eastbound on Highway 20 west of Foothill Drive in Lucerne at approximately 55 mph. Ricci allowed his vehicle to drift off the south shoulder. The vehicle traveled through some brush and into Clear Lake. Ricci was not injured and was located at the scene. Ricci was arrested on charges of driving under the influence. Officer B. Bach is investigating.
At 4:50 p.m. Lura Rockhold, 40, of Kelseyville was driving her vehicle, a 1997 Toyota 4Runner ,northbound on Wildcat Road at approximately 10 mph. Rockhold turned her vehicle to the right, which caused her to hit a bridge guardrail and overturn. Rockhold suffered a minor injury. The incident is being investigated by Officer M. Crutcher.
At 7 p.m. William Lahue, 67, of Central Valley was backing a 1995 International dump truck on private property. Lahue failed to observe a PG&E power pole behind him and struck the pole, dislodging it. Lahue was not injured and no power was lost to PG&E customers. Officer D. Frederick is investigating.
At 9:40 p.m. Raymond Casillias, 21, of Lakeport was driving a 1995 Saturn northbound on Soda Bay Road when he lost control of the vehicle and struck the rock fountain at the entrance to Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa. Casillias and his three passengers were not injured. Casillias was contacted at the scene and was arrested on charges of driving under the influence, Officer D. Frederick is investigating.
