Lower Lake, CA- Head-on Crash Causes Major Injuries on CA-29 Near Diener Dr

Lower Lake, CA (May 21, 2019)- According to the California Highway Patrol, a hailstorm is believed to be a factor in a crash on Highway 29 north of Diener Drive that left two men with serious injuries on Saturday. The crash happened at around 12:21 pm, when a 2015 Ford Edge SUV driving southbound collided with a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado traveling northbound.

The Silverado, which was reportedly traveling around 45 mph, was hit head-on by the SUV as the SUV swerved over the yellow lines into the other lane.

55-year-old Hidden Valley resident John Ritter, the SUV driver and 65-year-old Kelseyville resident Gary Reis, the pickup driver, both sustained major injuries. Reis was transported to Adventist Health Clear Lake, while Ritter was taken to Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts when the crash occurred. The CHP believes that the weather contributed to the crash.

The incident is under investigation.

Our thoughts are with the injured victims and their families at this time.  We hope for full recoveries.

Dangerous Weather on California’s Highways

According to the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, rain is a factor in 47% of vehicle accidents, while other weather-related accidents are related to factors such as ice, snow, or other weather-related conditions. The Federal Highway Administration says that rain-related accidents result in approximately 3,400 fatalities and 357,300 injuries annually in the US.

When the weather is bad, all drivers are required to pay even more attention than normal to the roads. In California, months can pass without rain. This means that oil and other substances accumulate on the roadways, increasing dangerous conditions. Drivers must adjust their speed in these cases, provide adequate stopping distances, and practice other safe driving techniques appropriate for the road conditions.

If the negligence of another driver has caused an accident in which you were injured, you require the assistance of an attorney who specializes in accidents. The Brady Law Group has almost thirty years of experience supporting those who’ve been injured in vehicle accidents in California. Call us today at 866-478-6483.

Note: Outside sources were used in the creation of this post including news bulletins and first-hand accounts of the accident and injuries involved. As a result, the details of the accident presented have not been independently verified by our own writing staff. If you have identified any false information in the story, please inform us immediately, and we will adjust the posting to reflect the most accurate content available.

Disclaimer: As a member of the local community, we at Brady Law Group strive to improve the overall safety and quality of life for everyone who lives in our beloved state. We are extremely saddened by these accidents but hope that, through an awareness of these dangers, those in our community will take precautions to avoid these accidents. This is not a solicitation for business, and this information should not be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. We wish only the best and quickest recovery to all those involved in the accident.