By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
I should have followed my own advice.
I often tell people to be very skeptical of what they read on the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information webpage, and what they hear on the police scanner. Both of these sources often include alleged facts that have not been verified by emergency responders.
For example, regarding Tuesday afternoon’s rollover on Interstate 5, north of Highway 32, the CHP Incident Information Page said that it was a single-vehicle accident. But according to the later CHP news release, it was a two-vehicle collision.
For another example, scanner chatter indicated some of the victims sustained moderate and major injuries. However, despite the use of the Enloe FlightCare helicopter and multiple ground ambulances, the same CHP news release that said it was a two-vehicle collision also stated that none of the eight people involved in the accident suffered worse than minor injuries.
Unfortunately, my report on this accident relied heavily on information taken from both the CHP Incident Information Page and the police scanner. As just pointed out, some of this information was apparently wrong.
According to CHP Officer Forsland, at about 12:55 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, Andrew Rodriguez, 32, of Anderson, was driving a 2021 Chevy Malibu south on Interstate 5, north of Highway 32, in the slow lane at about 65 miles per hour.
Felix Ramirez Perez, 33, of Madera, was driving a 2003 Chevy Tahoe south on I-5, north of Highway 32, at about 65 miles per hour in the fast lane.
Rodriguez made an unsafe lane change and crashed into the right side of the Tahoe. In attempting to avoid the crash, Perez veered to the left but lost control of the Tahoe he was driving and the vehicle rolled over in the center divider.
After the crash, both parties waited for medical personnel to arrive.
According to CHP Officer Forsland, Andrew Rodriguez, the driver of the Malibu, was not injured. He was wearing his seatbelts at the time of the accident.
Felix Perez, the driver of the Tahoe, sustained minor injuries. He was also wearing his seatbelts.
Perez had six passengers in his vehicle, all from Madera. All of them sustained only minor injuries consisting of complaints of pain.
They were:
Artenio Ramirez, 31, who was wearing his seatbelts;
Eugento Ramirez, age unknown, who was using his safety equipment;
Alexander, last name, age, and use of safety equipment unknown;
Martha Paris Perez, age and use of safety equipment unknown;
Anai Ramirez, 2. She was not using her safety equipment; and
Felipe Ramirez, 35, who was wearing his seatbelts.
The CHP states this collision is still under investigation.
The Glenn County Observer 