CLEARLAKE OAKS — One man suffered major injuries Friday following a collision between a Ford Mustang and a dump truck along Highway 20 just outside Clearlake Oaks.
According to Officer Nick Powell of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Terrance Reeves, 30, of Eureka was traveling with his girlfriend, who was not injured in the crash and was not identified. The two left Eureka in the morning for Sacramento and were on their way back.
A witness — identified as Brian Airehart, 38, of Durham — was driving directly behind the late-model Mustang and provided a statement detailing what led up to the crash.
Powell said Reeves was traveling about 45 mph westbound on Highway 20 just east of Henderson Drive outside of Clearlake Oaks at 4:10 p.m. when his car drifted into the eastbound lane.
Powell said Epidendio Construction employee Richard Cepuch, 53, of Hidden Valley Lake was traveling about 40 mph eastbound on Highway 20 driving a Mack dump truck. Cepuch was slowing for the blind curve when he saw the Mustang.
Powell said Cepuch applied the brakes and began to turn to the right to avoid a collision. Cepuch believed the Mustang might cross in front of his dump truck and travel into the lake, so he turned to the left into the eastbound lane, according to Powell.
Reeves then corrected hard to get back into the westbound lane when the two vehicles” driver”s sides collided, Powell said.
The force of the impact sent the dump truck into a turnout along the side of the road, while the Mustang was sent into the hillside.
Powell said Reeves was pinned inside the vehicle and CAL FIRE crews used the Jaws of Life to extract him. He suffered major trauma to his lower extremities and was airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. No other injuries were reported.
Powell said fatigue may have played a factor in the collision based on a statement from Reeves” girlfriend that he recently took a caffeine pill and had an energy drink. Drugs and alcohol were not considered factors, according to Powell.
It took about an hour for the roadway to be cleared. Traffic was backed up extensively in the Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven area.
A driver attempting to avoid the line of stagnant traffic sustained minor injuries when his vehicle traveled down an embankment along Henderson Drive, according to CHP Officer Ryan Erickson.
