Tragedy struck this weekend on Saturday, March 9, 2024, with one person losing their life in a solo vehicle crash on State Route 1 (SR-1) near the Mendocino Coast town of Westport.
According to the CHP press release, the driver involved was identified as a 73-year-old man from Ojai. The investigation revealed that the driver was operating a 2006 BraunAbility E350 van southbound on SR-1 at an undetermined speed. For reasons yet unknown, the driver made an unsafe turning movement around 10:13 a.m., causing the van to cross the west solid white line of SR-1 and leave the roadway.
The BraunAbility E350 continued its trajectory down a descending embankment, colliding with a fence before overturning and ultimately crashing into a tree. The van came to rest on its right side, facing south. Despite wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, the driver succumbed to injuries.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the cause of death, with alcohol and/or drugs ruled out as factors in the collision.
As first responders and the Incident Commander arrived on the scene, they found the occupant unconscious. By 10:45 a.m., the party was declared deceased, and authorities requested the dispatch of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office coroner.
Throughout the incident, SR-1 was temporarily closed as a tow truck attempted to extricate the van. The roadway was open to all traffic by 1:30 p.m. that afternoon.
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