CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department reported that it is investigating a fatal traffic collision that occurred on Wednesday night.
Andres Chavez-Valencia, 28, of Clearlake died as a result of the wreck, according to Clearlake Police's traffic officer, Mike Perreault.
Just before 9 p.m. Wednesday officers responded to the report of a two-vehicle, head-on traffic collision on Olympic Drive, west of the intersection with Highway 53, Perreault said.
Upon arrival, officers located a white 1991 Nissan 240SX that had collided with a Teal 2016 Honda CRV. Perreault said both vehicles had sustained major front end damage.
The driver of the Honda, identified as 49-year-old Clearlake resident Annette Wheeler, and her daughter, 24-year-old Kayla Wheeler, were able to exit the vehicle with the assistance of personnel at the scene, according to Perreault's report.
Perreault said both of the Wheelers were transported by Lake County Fire Protection District medics to Adventist Health Clear Lake, where they were treated for minor to moderate injuries.
The driver of the Nissan, identified as Chavez-Valencia, was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by Lake County Fire Protection District firefighters, Perreault said.
Chavez-Valencia was unconscious at the scene of the collision and after being extricated from the vehicle was transported to Adventist Health Clear Lake, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 10:18 p.m., according to Perreault.
Perreault said Olympic Drive was closed in both directions for approximately three hours while the Clearlake Police Department Traffic Unit investigated the collision.
A preliminary investigation determined that Chavez-Valencia had been traveling east on Olympic Drive at a high rate of speed when his vehicle crossed the double yellow lines and collided head-on with the Honda CRV Annette Wheeler was driving west on Olympic Drive by Wheeler, Perreault said.
It also was determined that Chavez-Valencia was only wearing the automatic shoulder belt that was equipped in that year Nissan and that he had failed to fasten the required lap belt portion of the seat belt. Perreault said both of the Wheelers were determined to be wearing their seat belts at the time of the collision.
Perreault said it's not yet known if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the collision. Toxicology results will not be available until after an autopsy of Chavez-Valencia is conducted.
A witness to the collision reported seeing the Nissan speeding, spinning its tires and driving recklessly in the area of Olympic Drive and Washington Street just prior to the collision, Perreault said.
If you have any information on the collision, please contact Officer Mike Perreault at 707-994-8251, Extension 519.
Police investigate fatal Clearlake wreck
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