Rosetta Forrest, 70, was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital where she was undergoing surgery on Tuesday afternoon, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Crutcher, who was investigating the crash.
CHP reports indicated the crash occurred at around 11:45 a.m. just north of Kelseyville Auto Salvage, which is located in the 7600 block of Highway 29.
Crutcher said Forrest was traveling southbound on Highway 29 at 55 miles per hour in a 2006 Pontiac G6 sedan when, for an unknown reason, she drifted to the right and onto the shoulder, and then went off the roadway.
He said Forrest’s vehicle went down a dirt embankment, with the passenger side glancing off an oak tree.
The car continued on and hit another oak tree head-on, with the car then catching on fire, Crutcher said.
Reports from the scene indicated passersby stopped to help Forrest – who was trapped in the vehicle – by attempting to break out the car’s windows. At the same time, the fire was reported to be spreading under the vehicle.
Crutcher said the Kelseyville Fire Protection District responded and extinguished the fire, which burned a small area.
The CHP reported there was a highway closure that lasted about an hour and a half while the scene was cleared. Highway 29 was reported to be reopened at 12:14 p.m.
Crutcher said drugs and alcohol did not contribute to the crash.
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