Kelseyville >> Authorities have confirmed one death from a crash involving an overturned big rig and at least one other vehicle Thursday morning. The incident closed down both traffic lanes for several hours on Highway 29.
Scanner reports began at about 8:15 a.m. describing a head-on collision on the highway south of Kit’s Corner near Kelseyville Auto Salvage. The truck was reportedly northbound when the driver made a sudden maneuver in an effort to avoid a car. The truck hit the vehicle, according to initial reports. The driver lost control and the truck turned on its side. It came to rest blocking both lanes of Highway 29.
It was unclear at press time how many victims were involved in the incident, but a REACH air ambulance was flown in for critical injuries as well, according to the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) traffic incident report. Heavy and medium tows were requested for the big rig laying on its roof and the other vehicles involved.
By 9 a.m., CHP as well as officers from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) were redirecting traffic to Red Hills Road while both lanes on Highway 29 remained closed. Crews from the Kelseyville Fire Protection District, as well as Lake County Fire Protection District responded to the call.
The LCSO immediately sent out a notification via Nixle advising residents of the closure. Scanner reports indicated that officers initially estimated the closure would last about two hours, but it wasn’t until about 3:30 p.m. that the CHP reopened both lanes to traffic.
Little additional information was available as of press time, as officers from the CHP were still investigating at the scene late Thursday afternoon.
The death becomes the 12th fatality on Lake County roads so far this year. In an average year, 11 to 12 people lose their lives in highway accidents.
