LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol on Monday issued a report detailing the events that led to three people being injured in a single-vehicle crash the previous night near Lower Lake, where a CHP officer is credited with helping save two people who were trapped.
Dow Edwin Walton, 54, of Lower Lake, along with his passengers Regina Lee Walton, 46, also of Lower Lake and 25-year-old Andy Hopper, whose city of residence was not listed, were injured in the wreck, which occurred at approximately 8:28 p.m. Sunday on Highway 29 north of Hofacker Lane.
The CHP report said Walton was driving a 2005 Chevrolet four wheel drive pickup northbound on Highway 29 at an unknown speed when, according to witnesses, he attempted to pass another vehicle using the southbound lane after crossing over solid double yellow lines.
As opposing traffic approached, Walton was witnessed swerving back into the northbound lane, where he struck a raised curb bordering the east highway edge, according to the report.
The CHP said he then veered sharply back across the north and southbound lanes. The pickup slid sideways off the west roadway edge, flipped end over end through an open field and over a fence, and landed on its wheels in a creek bed.
CHP Officer Adam Garcia was a short distance away when he received a call from the Ukiah Communications Center advising him of the crash, the report explained.
Upon Garcia’s arrival, Hopper was standing outside of the pickup at the top of the embankment; however, Dow Walton and Regina Walton were still in the vehicle, according to the report.
The CHP said the pickup’s passenger side compartment was just starting to ignite and smolder. As Garcia reached the vehicle, it became fully engulfed in flames.
The vehicle windshield was broken out so flames began to enter the passenger compartment. The CHP said Garcia attempted to pull Dow Walton out through the broken driver’s window as the door was jammed shut. However, Walton’s leg was pinned under the driver’s side dashboard, preventing his immediate extrication.
Garcia then pulled Regina Walton from the right front passenger seat, over the top of Dow Walton, out through the driver’s window, and dragged her to a safe location to the rear of the vehicle, the CHP said.
The CHP said he then returned for Dow Walton, and with persistent pulling was able to free his leg from the dashboard. Garcia also pulled Walton out of the vehicle and got him to a safe location.
Regina Walton suffered severe burns to her upper body but was saved from further injury due to Garcia’s heroic actions, the CHP said.
Dow Walton sustained a possible fractured shoulder and wrist due to the collision, and the CHP also credited Garcia’s actions for saving Dow Walton from further injury.
The CHP said Dow Walton was flown to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa and later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Regina Walton was flown to UC Davis Medical Center and Hopper was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with a possible skull fracture, laceration to the face and multiple broken ribs.