KELSEYVILLE — Agencies are conducting a joint investigation into the officer-involved car crash which resulted in the death of one woman on Oct. 3
The California Highway Patrol (CHP)?Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is conducting the investigation into the accident and the Lake County District Attorney”s Office is doing the investigation pursuant to the Lake County Critical Incident Protocol, according to District Attorney Don Anderson.
At 6:21 a.m. Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) Deputy James Scott Lewis, 53, was driving a marked patrol car southbound on Highway 29 north of Diener Drive at a high rate of speed with the emergency lights on, CHP Lt. Greg Baarts stated in a collision report. Gabriella Rivas Garcia, 26, was driving a 1995 Honda northbound on Highway 29 when Lewis reportedly crossed into the northbound lane into the path of the Honda.
The front of the patrol car collided with the Honda head on, Baarts stated. The patrol car overturned onto its right side, and the front of a Geo, driven by 66-year-old Lakeport resident Charles W. Eagleton, hit the rear of the overturned car.
Garcia, of Clearlake, died as a result of the collision, Lewis sustained major injuries and Eagleton had a complaint of pain from minor injuries.
