Northshore, CA – Multi-Vehicle Accident Causes Serious Injuries on Hwy 20
Northshore, CA (March 21, 2019) – The California Highway Patrol reported that an accident on Highway 20 involving a car, a semi-truck, and a pickup truck left three injured. The accident happened around 7:50 a.m. between Lucerne and Nice, in the area east of Lakeshore Boulevard.
The crash began when 57-year-old Duane Roork, of Willits, lost control of his 2009 Toyota Corolla and swerved from the westbound lane of Highway 20 into the eastbound. The car was moving around 50 miles per hour when it moved across the yellow lines.
In an attempt to avoid colliding with the Toyota as it veered into the eastbound lane of Highway 20, 29-year-old Jose Gomez, of Williams, swerved his 2012 Kenworth T660 semi-truck to the right. However, this maneuver did not prevent a collision. The semi-truck crashed into the front of the Toyota.
The impact sent the Toyota back into the westbound lanes. Here, it hit a 2012 Dodge Ram pickup driven by 50-year-old Thomas York, of Clearlake Oaks.
When Northshore Fire Department personnel arrived on the scene, they found the three vehicles on the north shoulder and embankment of the highway. The Toyota Corolla, on the north shoulder, was on its wheels. The semi-truck was on the highway’s north embankment. The pickup truck was found on the north shoulder as well.
Firefighter Joel Cecil, of the Northshore Fire Department, reported that Duane Roork needed to be removed from his vehicle with the use of the fire department’s extrication tools. In order to free him, the roof and doors were cut from the Toyota with the extrication tools.
Two fire department engine companies and two paramedics attended to and removed Roork from the crushed vehicle. He was taken by airlift to Vacaville Kaiser Hospital. His injuries include a punctured lung and a broken ankle.
The other drivers, Jose Gomez and Thomas York, sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
Though the crash remains under investigation, the CHP press release noted that driver fatigue might have played a part in the crash.
Distracted Drivers in California
Many people believe that the main culprit in distracted driving is texting. In order to deal with this problem, the state of California banned texting in 2009. However, a study by the Highway Loss Data Institute showed that the number of car accidents actually went up after the ban went into effect.
Texting, drinking and driving, driving while fatigued, changing the radio station, and many other behaviors that drivers engage in cannot be totally prevented. Laws are in place to try and protect everyone on the road, but in the end, it comes down to the drivers themselves. In order to keep the roadways safe, every driver must make a commitment to remaining clear-headed and alert at all times.
The Brady Law Group has an extensive track record of securing compensation for those injured in accidents caused by distracted drivers. To speak with one of our accident attorneys, call us 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.
