James Dyment, 55, of Hidden Valley Lake died at the scene of the crash, which the California Highway Patrol said occurred on Highway 29 north of Grange Road in the Hidden Valley Lake area at about 1:20 p.m.
A family traveling in the second car involved in the crash escaped with minor injuries, according to the CHP report.
Officer Dallas Richey reported that Dyment, who was driving an Acura Integra southbound on the highway, pulled his vehicle onto the right shoulder and began to make a U-turn in the path of a Toyota Camry driven by Michael Damiata, 40, of Lakeport.
Damiata, traveling southbound at 55 miles per hour, didn't have time to brake or take evasive action and the front of his vehicle hit the driver's side of Dyment's car, Richey reported.
Dyment was pronounced dead at the scene, Richey said.
Damiata and family members traveling with him – Rachelle Damiata, 40, and two boys, ages 11 and 9 – were transported to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake where Richey said they were treated for minor injuries, including abrasions.
Richey said neither of the drivers was suspected of driving under the influence, and everyone riding in the two cars were wearing their safety belts.
The south county area also saw another serious crash early Friday afternoon, according to Richey.
That second collision occurred on Highway 175 south of Middletown, where Richey said an elderly woman's vehicle hit a tree, causing the vehicle to flip over.
The woman was flown out to an area hospital, but Richey did not have further details immediately available about the incident or the woman's condition.
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