One Covelo Man Perishes and Four Other Hospitalized, including Three Children, After Yesterday’s Highway 101 Head-On Collision

On 09/12/2021, at approximately 1104 hours, Ukiah CHP was dispatched to the scene of a reported head-on collision on US-101, north of the Ridgewood Scale Facility. Upon arrival, it was determined to be a fatal collision. 

A 29 year old male (name withheld), was driving a 2000 Acura Integra, within the number one lane of US-101 northbound at approximately 70 mph. A 29 year old female (name withheld), was driving a 2009 Dodge Ram, within the number one lane of US-101 southbound at approximately 70 mph. For unknown reasons, the male driver allowed the Acura to cross over the double yellow lines dividing the north and southbound lanes, directly towards the Dodge. Subsequently, the left front of the Acura impacted the left front of the Dodge causing the Dodge to impact a guardrail and overturn. The Acura came to rest on its wheels within the number two lane of US-101 southbound. The Dodge came to rest on its roof within the number two lane of US-101 southbound, south of the Acura. The driver and passengers of the Dodge were assisted out of the vehicle by medical personnel. The driver of the Dodge sustained major injuries and was transported to Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital. The passengers of the Dodge suffered minor injuries and were transported to Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital. Due to the intrusion into the Acura, the driver suffered fatal injuries and was declared deceased at 1108 hours by medical personnel, requiring extrication from the Acura. The cause of this collision is still under investigation. Alcohol and/or drugs are not determined to be factor at this time, 

The identities of all involved parties are being withheld pending notification of next of kin, 

Any person with information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol’s Ukiah Area Office at (707) 467-4420.