LUCERNE — Emergency personnel used power tools to free a Ukiah man from his car after he was involved in a head-on collision Wednesday morning in Lucerne.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:20 a.m. when a silver Saturn coupe and a white GMC van hit each other on Highway 20.
The driver of the car, William J. Adams, 59, sustained moderate to major injuries and was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital after being removed from the vehicle, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The driver of the van — Christopher Genho Jr., 35, of Clearlake Oaks — was uninjured, the CHP said.
Initial investigation indicates Adams was driving eastbound on Highway 20 near Ogden Road when his Saturn drifted into the westbound lane at an unknown speed, the CHP said.
Authorities believe Adams may have fallen asleep at the wheel.
Witnesses reportedly told investigators that Genho took evasive action and crossed his westbound van into the eastbound traffic lane to avoid the car but the Saturn also swerved into that lane.
Both drivers changed directions again before crashing head-on and coming to rest in the westbound lane, the CHP said.
The incident closed both highway lanes for about 45 minutes, according to Northshore Fire Protection District Chief Jay Beristianos.
