CHP news release
On March 30, 2018 at approximately 5:15 PM, a two vehicle collision occurred on US Highway 395, north of Green Creek Road, approximately four miles south of Bridgeport, California. For unknown reasons, a Subaru Impreza, traveling northbound on US 395, drove to the left of the solid double yellow lines that separate the northbound and southbound lanes.
The Subaru subsequently collided head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado pickup pulling a fifth wheel trailer traveling southbound on US 395. The Subaru came to rest blocking the northbound lane. The Chevrolet and fifth wheel trailer overturned and the Chevrolet caught fire blocking the northbound and southbound lanes.
A road closure was immediately established to facilitate rescue efforts and subsequent investigation. The CHP Inland Division Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded to assist with the investigation. The roadway was reopened on March 31, at 11:00 AM.
A driver and passenger in both the Subaru and Chevrolet sustained fatal injuries. All occupants appear to have been properly restrained. At this time, alcohol or drug impairment do not appear to be contributory factors to the cause of the collision. The cause of this collision is still under investigation.
The names of the involved parties are withheld pending official notification of next of kin by the Mono County Sheriff’s Department.
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This is a shockingly too frequent new trend. While the cause has yet to be determined, these accidents are appearing to be lack of attention by the driver. Our quiet country roads are deceiving because they are so easy to drive, yet you are inches from oncoming traffic. Please Please Please, devote 100% of your attention to driving. On two lane roads, ANY distraction is too much of a risk…be it the radio, phone, eating or whatever.
There are no plans to separate out the lanes in Mono County, driver behavior must change.
Rick,if that accident happened where it seems it did,it’s a narrow stretch of 395 and would be difficult to put a concrete divider and still have north and south lanes of travel…
Yes, it was in a weird section, around a curve. Nobody would try to pass there – some kind of distraction.
Another instance where the concrete dividers in a dangerous stretch of road could have saved 4 lives. With the opener coming up , and the crowds it brings, regretably , this will probably happen again.
Tragic yet preventable. Thoughts for the family and friends of those involved. Please please people, stay focused on the job at hand when behind the wheel.
Charles, you’re probably right but the article reads “for unknown reasons” how do we know there wasn’t a mechanical issue with the subaru or a medical issue with it’s driver?
Yes it could have been a number of things that caused or contributed to the collision. But based on the law of averages it was likely a distraction or asleep at the wheel. We will probably never know. Regardless, tragic events like this should be a wake up call for all of us. We all owe it to ourselves, to our families, to our friends and to our fellow road users to stay focused at all times when we’re behind the wheel.