Four people, including a 12-year-old boy, were airlifted to hospitals after a head-on collision on Highway 53 Wednesday morning in Lake County, the Lake County Record Bee reported. Stephen Phipps, 46, of Clearlake, was driving a 2002 Ford Ranger pickup truck northbound on Highway 53 near Anderson Ranch Parkway, when he crossed over the center turn lane and into southbound traffic, directly in the path of a 2000 Oldsmobile van driven by Luisa Enriquez, 43, of Clearlake. The June 2nd collision occurred at about 7:40 a.m., and the vehicles came to a rest blocking one of the southbound lanes.
Luisa Enriquez was flown by a REACH air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with broken bones in her legs. A 12-year-old boy in her vehicle was taken by ambulance to St. Helena Hospital and then flown to Oakland Children's Hospital with fractured bones in his leg, arm and face.
Phipps was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance. He was blown by REACH to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with internal injuries. A passenger in his pickup truck was also flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with internal injuries. According to the CHP, all parties were wearing their seat belts and airbags deployed in both vehicles.
Fault and Liability Issues
Based on the news reports, authorities determined that Phipps was driving under the influence of a controlled substance. If news reports are accurate, he may face criminal charges and additionally, be liable for the serious injuries of Luisa Enriquez and the 12-year-old boy in the Oldsmobile, as well as the injuries of the his passenger. While this Lake County crash remains under investigation, the family members of the victims would be well advised to talk to a skilled California personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, who can help them hold the responsible driver accountable for his actions in a personal injury claim, and obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
Sources: Lake County Record Bee, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Lake County News
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