NORTH COAST, Calif. – On Monday Mendocino County authorities released the name of the Boy Scout leader killed in a five-vehicle crash on Highway 20 on Sunday, and gave updates on the conditions of the scouts traveling with him.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's-Coroner Office identified Robert Wayne Garrison, 55, of Newcastle, as the fatal victim of the wreck, which occurred shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday on Highway 20 near Potter Valley Road.
Riding in Garrison's vehicle – which was headed from Placer County to Willits for a Boy Scout camp – were several scout members who were injured, the California Highway Patrol said.
Garrison's 15-year-old son, Sean, was flown to Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, and 17-year-old Mason Shields of Newcastle was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, both with major injuries, according to CHP Officer Patricia Benedetti.
On Monday, both of the teens were reported to be in critical condition, Benedetti said.
Other scouts members who were injured included 18-year-old Anthony Marlatte of Auburn, who had major injuries and 12-year-old Ayden Danovaro of Auburn, who had minor injuries, both of whom were transported to Ukiah Valley Medical Center, the CHP said. Garret Boswell, 17, of Auburn, was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with moderate injuries.
Garrison's 2003 Honda Odyssey was hit head-on by a 2006 Ford F-250 pickup driven by 73-year-old Eugene E. Galletti of Redwood Valley before spinning into the path of a 2005 Dodge 2500 pickup driven by Andrew L. Rivas, 22, of Lincoln, according to the CHP.
The CHP report said the chain-reaction collision began when Galletti – driving eastbound – failed to stop for two other drivers who were stopped ahead of him.
Randall K. Johnson, 51, of Ukiah, was stopped and waiting to make a turn into a private driveway, with his signal on, and 67-year-old Joan D. Schmidt of Potter Valley was waiting behind him, the CHP said.
Galletti hit the back of Schmidt's 2011 Toyota Sequoia, which in turn was pushed into the back of a trailer Johnson was towing with a 2003 Chevy Silverado, according to the CHP.
The CHP said Galletti's pickup then crossed into Garrison's path, with the two vehicles colliding head-on before Garrison's vehicle spun into Rivas' path and was hit again. Rivas' pickup went to the right side of the highway where the travel trailer he was towing hit a guardrail.
Galletti and Schmidt both had minor injuries, while Johnson and Rivas were uninjured. Several adults riding as passengers in the vehicles also were unhurt, according to the report.
A total of 14 people were riding in the five vehicles, the CHP said.
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