The following is a press released issued by the California Highway Patrol. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On March 13, 2021, at approximately 2305 hours, Keilah Coyle was driving a black, 2003 Ford F-250, southbound on SR-29, approaching Bar X Rd., at an unknown speed. Due to Coyle’s level of intoxication, she allowed her vehicle to travel over the solid double yellow lines of SR-29 and into the path of a 2000 GMC Van, traveling northbound at an unknown speed, resulting in a head-on collision. After the collision, the F-250 overturned and became disabled in the northbound lane. The GMC Van became disabled facing northbound partially in the northbound and southbound traffic lanes. Both occupants of the GMC Van were pronounced deceased at the scene by Cal Fire and South Lake County Fire Personnel who responded to the scene. Coyle suffered minor injuries as result of the collision and was subsequently arrested by Clear Lake Area CHP Officers who observed signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication. Coyle was booked into the Lake County Jail for 191.5 PC, Vehicular Manslaughter while intoxicated, 23153(a), Felony driving under the influence and causing injury, and 23153(b)VC, Felony driving under the influence and causing injury with a blood alcohol content above 0.08%.
SR-29 was closed for approximately five hours due to the collision investigation and removal of the vehicles. If anyone has any details that could assist this investigation, they are requested to contact the Clear Lake CHP Area at (707) 279 – 0103.
I drive daily delivery route Ukiah to Clearlake. Everyday I watch the most stupid, selfish, dangerous drivers you’ve seen. Not a day goes by without any one of: Tailgating at high speeds. Passing double yellows. Passing blind corners. Brake-checking. Revenge-racing when two hotheads compete.
Starting on grade to Marina, people whiz by 80mph. Then those who see the lane is about to merge and step on it, extreme speeds coming side-by-side with you or others, nearly causing head-on. Then those who didn’t make the pass, who tailgate you at, not feet, but inches.
Inches from you as they swerve threatening to pass, while endless oncoming traffic moves to white line fearing the pass. Then the two-lane Potter Valley turn off, with same behavior as Marina. Only here you have PV residents slowing for turnoff, which causes Idiots to use any given maneuver to get by. Then those who didn’t make the pass, who now inch-tailgate you or others for MILES, up to the two-lane pass lane before Blue Lakes. (Sure, you can pull over, but a) you’ll end up waiting for a full train of cars and b) seconds later you’ll have another train of cars behind and so c) you’ll have to pull over the entire way; not reasonable or even possible time-wise). Often people will pass double yellow and cause on-comers to pull over.
Then the worst: Blue Lakes. 50mph zone. Which by any responsible reasoning, should be 30mph zone.
But people want to go 60-80. Through a tiny narrow curvy road, ripe with pedestrians on the shoulders, walking, or stopped for breaks, stopped to view the lake. People will inch-tailgate you whole stretch, weaving in and out to get a pass. Many cut corners, landing their tires in gravel on shoulders, sliding back onto road. One barely missed me head-on few days ago.
On Saturday, through Blue Lakes suddenly saw a mangled motorcycle middle of the road, had to brake. Then the worst, blood, and then a man laying face down on road, knocked out or dead. One thing to hear it, another to see it, sinking feeling in me that’s still there.
Did it slow people down? Nope, slowed through accident, then right back on my bumper, ready to pass, endanger innocent people.
Last week heading back Ukiah I went to slow lane on hill with passing lane just past Blue Lakes. Two large trucks that didn’t make the pass then inch-tailgated me and each other. Then on curve, first one passed me WITH oncoming traffic within 100 yards. Two cars had to slow and pull over white line.
Minute later, second truck does same, only in what seemed purposeful road-rage, cut me off by crossing back over in front of me inches from my front bumper, causing me to slow and pull over.
Also last week between Lakeport and Kellseyville, as per usual people pulled into the right-turn lane at stoplights to pass. Yes, pass. On a two-lane, 55mph zone where traffic is so thick there is no way you’ll ever make any distance by passing. Yet they do it every day. A woman in a Honda could see there was no room to merge, traffic too thick, so she steps on it, coming right up to my side. I have no room to brake or gas. So I beep twice to let her know. She angrily cranks the wheel towards me, pushing me into oncoming traffic. Had to swerve back in and brake. Of course, within 30 secs I’m right behind her because you cannot make any headway with bumper-to-bumper conditions.
Happens like that every day, had another woman do the same and put her head out window and curse me out. Very common on that stretch.
Then you have the same between Lakeport and Clearlake, all the way. Construction zone is worst, it’s 45mph, people want to go 70, pass you on corners and double lines, causing oncoming to brake and swerve.
If a reporter ever finds the time, would love to see an actual list of every accident between Ukiah and Clearlake over the last, say, six months. Highlighting the fatalities. It’s hard to keep up, but I’m thinking there’s about one death, average, per three months, along that stretch? Would be nice to have a source handy when having conversations with family and loved ones, especially the young ones, about being *extremely* cautios and careful on that stretch.
Good news: CHP sting last two weeks, busting people right and left. Bad news: Once sting is over, guaranteed people will go right back to same conditions. Only solution, would be permanent, constant patrolling over the entire stretch. Funding of course will not allow that, and these days with de-fund popularity, it can only get worse.
Bad enough I might die, but my real concern is children. Can’t even imagine the devastation of a family of dad, mom and kids getting plowed into and killed by one of these selfish idiots who thinks they’re going to save 10 mins getting to their destination.
MendoWatcher:
This particular head-on accident was not on the portion of hwy 29/20 that you seem to have such bad driver karma with.
Today I learned a new (hyphenated) word: “inch-tailgating”. Thanks!
RK