The California Highway Patrol is looking for an unidentified driver following a hit-and-run accident that killed one and injured another near Laytonville, the CHP reported.
The driver who caused the accident on Sunday afternoon was traveling north on Highway 101, north of Steel Lane, in a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. He reportedly crossed over solid double yellow lines into the opposing lane, colliding with the right side of a 1965 Ford Falcon traveling south. The passenger of the Ford Falcon, age 54, died at the scene, and the driver, age 46, was taken to Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits with major injuries, then airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, according to the CHP. The two, from Concord, Calif., have not yet been identified.
The driver of the Ford Explorer reportedly ran from the scene before officials arrived. He is described as a Hispanic man in his 30s, 215 pounds, 5 feet and 10 inches tall, with short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark T-shirt and camouflage shorts, walking north along Highway 101.
The CHP Garberville office is investigating the accident. Anyone with any information about the driver’s identity or location is encouraged to call the CHP at (707) 268-2000 or the Garberville office at (707) 923-2155.
