LAKEPORT >> Officers responding to the report of an early morning hit and run accident in downtown Lakeport found the suspects before they reached the damaged vehicles.
Law enforcement officers arrested Kevin Cody Hermo, 23 of Kelseyville. He faces two felony charges, one involving driving under the influence. Hermo and another male, 24, were transported to Santa Rosa Memorial hospital for treatment.
Authorities have not released the name of the second man, presumed to be a passenger in Hermo’s vehicle.
At approximately 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Lakeport Police were advised that an SUV and an 18-wheeler had been involved in a collision on N. Main St. near the corner of Ninth St. Both vehicles were said to be unoccupied.
As they approached the scene of the accident, a report came in regarding a disturbance in front of the Anchorage Inn, less than a block away.
At the hotel, officers encountered the two men, allegedly intoxicated. Both had suffered injuries described as “major.” According to a statement by Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen, both had blood on their skin and clothing.
The suspects denied any knowledge of the hit and run collision, Rasmussen reported in the statement.
While a crew from the Lakeport Fire Protection District tended to the injured suspects, officers investigated the accident scene. They found a 2005 Chevrolet Trail Blazer wedged under a parked rock hauling truck.
The initial investigation indicated that the SUV had been traveling north on Main St. at an estimated speed of 40 miles per hour when it veered across all lanes. The SUV slammed head on into the truck, parked facing south.
Officers alleged that Hermo the other man were involved in the incident and had fled the scene. They identified Hermo as the driver. They also reportedly found approximately two pounds of a substance thought to be marijuana in the SUV.
Due to the severity of the injuries sustained by Hermo and the male passenger, Sutter Lakeside staff had them both flown by helicopter to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where they currently remain for treatment.
A blood sample was taken from Hermo to test for drugs or alcohol.
The alleged driver of the SUV faces a charge of felony drunk driving causing injury and felony hit and run with injury.
This investigation is currently ongoing and we are asking that anyone who may have information on this incident to contact Officer Tyler Trouette or Sergeant Gary Basor at 707-263-5491 or by email at ttrouette@lakeportpolice.org or gbasor@lakeportpolice.org.
