LOWER LAKE — A woman died in a vehicle crash early Sunday morning.
The Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) identified the victim as Jennifer Clark, 31, of Clearlake. The exact time of the crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), but it appears the incident occurred between 5 and 7 a.m. Sunday.
Danny Fields II, 27, of Clearlake was arrested in relation to the crash.
According to the CHP, Fields was driving a 1984 Chevy El Camino southbound on Highway 29 just north of Highway 53 at an undetermined speed. For unknown reasons, he allowed the vehicle to exit the right side of the roadway, where it went down an embankment and struck a walnut tree.
Fields allegedly walked from the crash site back to Highway 29 where he claimed to receive a ride from an unknown person. He was taken to Tower Mart in Lower Lake.
According to the CHP, Fields” parents were contacted, responded to Tower Mart and then transported him to St. Helena Hospital, Clear Lake.
Around 8:55 a.m., hospital staff contacted the CHP advising that Fields was there and had been involved in a traffic incident.
The CHP stated Fields could not provide an exact location where the incident occurred or if there was anyone else in the vehicle when it happened.
LCSO personnel located the car at approximately 9:14 a.m.
Clark was found in the passenger seat of the vehicle. She sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
CHP stated drugs and/or alcohol might have contributed to the crash. Blood samples were taken and the crash remains under investigation.
