NICE >> A Mendocino County woman died after a rollover accident along Highway 20 in Nice on Tuesday morning.
According to California Highway Patrol investigators, the victim lost control of her Toyota Corolla rounding a curve. The car careened across the highway and off the pavement. In a violent collision, they Toyota smacked into an embankment causing it to roll.
During the rollover, the car crashed into a tree where it came to a stop.
Authorities are withholding the name of the deceased, a 65 year old from Redwood Valley, pending notification of family.
The incident began at approximately 6:15 a.m. when she allegedly attempted an illegal pass. According a CHP report submitted by Sgt. Brian Engle, the victim entered a two way turn lane westbound, allegedly in an effort to get by a white pickup truck.
The initial report suggests the other vehicle responded by picking up speed. However, the witness, who was following behind, lost sight of the two vehicles as they rounded the curve.
The witness reportedly did not see the accident, instead coming across the aftermath.
A call for emergency assistance went out almost immediately. Firefighters and medical personnel arrived, but pronounced the woman dead at the scene. She was still wearing her safety belt.
CHP officers are uncertain whether the driver of the white pickup truck also witnessed the accident. The truck continued westbound after the crash.
It is unknown at this point in the investigation whether alcohol or drugs played a role.
Authorities are actively seeking witnesses or those with information that would help them to identify the driver of the pickup. They ask that anyone with such information call the CHP at 707-279-0103.
