A Mendocino County sheriff’s sergeant and two others were injured on Tuesday when an RV rear-ended the sergeant’s unmarked patrol truck on Highway 101 south of Dora Creek, the California Highway Patrol reported.
Sgt. Bruce Smith, escorting a person on a ride-along in a 2013 Chevy Silverado assigned to the Investigative Services Unit, was stopped in traffic at 9:45 a.m. due to construction 1/10 of a mile south of Dora Creek, at mile post marker 96 on Highway 101 north.
The driver of the RV (a 1993 motor home), identified as Harlan Myers of Portland, Ore., came up behind the line of traffic and did not stop, rear-ending Smith’s truck.
The truck was pushed into the back of a 2007 Honda CRV, which was then pushed into a 2004 GMC Yukon.
Six people were involved in the accident. The northbound lane was shut down for about 30 minutes following the traffic collision.
Smith and his passenger, identified as Paul Trouette, sustained moderate injuries, as did the passenger of the Yukon, identified as Jesus Mora of Lake Elsinore, Calif.
Trouette was taken to Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits. He and Smith were released from hospital care within hours, according to Capt. Greg VanPatten with the MCSO.
Mora was taken to Jerold Phelps Community Hospital in Garberville. It is not yet known if he has been released. All were transported by City Ambulance of Eureka.
The Garberville CHP Office is investigating the accident and has ruled out alcohol and drugs as factors.
