MENDOCINO COUNTY (MNG) — Authorities on Friday morning identified two of the people who died and three of the people injured in a crash that killed three people and injured four more on Highway 101 south of Hopland Thursday.
The deceased driver who lost control of her Honda Civic and was broadsided by an oncoming vehicle was identified as Mireya Ayala, 35, of Ukiah, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff-Coroner”s Office (MCSO).
She had three passengers, two of whom died, including her daughter, identified as Karen Ayala, 1, according to the MCSO.
Also in the Civic were a man who died and a 4-year-old girl who was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with major injuries. Their identities were not released Friday morning.
Ayala drove a silver 1995 Honda Civic south at an unknown speed on Highway 101, about three miles south of Frog Woman Rock about noon Thursday. For unknown reasons, she lost control of the car, and crossed double-yellow lines and asphalt center divider, directly into the path of an oncoming red 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The Civic was sideways when the Tahoe, traveling 55 to 60 mph, was unable to avoid the crash and hit the driver”s side door, according to the CHP. In the Tahoe were driver Tennille Reyes, 35, of Cloverdale and her children, John Reyes, 8, and Silvia Reyes, 5.
Tennille and her daughter had moderate injuries and were taken by ground ambulance to Ukiah Valley Medical Center. The 8-year-old boy, who also had moderate injuries, was flown to the Oakland Children”s Hospital, according to the CHP.
The CHP said it appeared all parties wore seat belts, and it was unknown whether alcohol was a factor in the collision.
