Day: November 8, 2022

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

A U.S. Forest Service officer was arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence after she collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer on Interstate 5 on Friday, Nov. 4.

According to Officer Barone of the California Highway Patrol, at about 3:27 p.m., Chelisa Chemayne Rodriguez, 31, of Shasta Lake, was driving a 2019 Chevy Silverado south on Interstate 5, south of County Road 3, at a high rate of speed.

The Chevy driven by Rodriguez collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer. The force of the collision caused debris to cover both lanes of traffic.

The driver’s name and make of the tractor are not mentioned in the CHP’s news release.

After the impact, the Chevy turned to the right and came to rest off the roadway. The Chevy sustained major damage to its front end.

Southbound I-5 was reduced to one lane of traffic for about 90 minutes.

According to the CHP Traffic website, at 3:43 p.m., responders were warned of a firearm in “the vehicle.” Presumably, this vehicle was the Chevy, and the weapon belonged to Rodriguez.

Rodriguez sustained minor injuries in the collision and was transported to Glenn Medical Center for treatment. She was wearing her seatbelts at the time of the accident.

She was later booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors).

Her bail was set at $10,000.

Glenn County Observer

One driver sustains only minor injuries, the other driver sustains no injuries at all.

Thank you, seatbelts.

According to Officer Forslund of the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 12:05 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, Elias Santiz, 33, of Orland, was driving a 2004 Saturn four-door west on County Road 25 at about 45 miles per hour, east of County Road M.

Ramirez Quirarte, 36, of Orland, was driving a 2007 Ford Expedition south on Road M, directly north of the intersection with Road 25.

Santiz approached the stop sign at Road M but failed to stop at the limit line. He applied his brakes but traveled into the intersection.

The Expedition crashed into the right rear end of the Saturn.

After the crash, the Expedition traveled to the right and rolled over in an orchard. It came to rest facing a northwesterly direction on its left (driver’s) side.

The Saturn was parked on the right shoulder in the orchard.

Neither driver was seriously injured. Both were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Neither driver was arrested.