LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities are investigating a Thursday night off-road vehicle crash near Lower Lake that killed the teenage driver and injured four juveniles.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said its officers were dispatched on reports of a fatal crash at 9:26 p.m. Thursday.
The CHP said the wreck — which occurred on private property — involved a 2015 Polaris RZR, which is a side-by-side off-road vehicle with up to four seats, based on model information.
The preliminary investigation indicated that the Polaris was traveling eastbound, at an unknown speed, within the confines of private property located on Schwartz Lane in Lower Lake when, for reasons that are still being investigated, the Polaris overturned onto its left side and came to rest, the CHP reported.
As a result of the crash, the CHP said the 18-year-old male driver, a resident of Michigan whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Lake County Fire District personnel.
The right front passenger was ejected from the Polaris and struck a nearby cattle fence. That passenger as well as a rear passenger — both juveniles — were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, the CHP said.
The CHP said two other juvenile passengers were transported by helicopter to Sacramento for treatment of major injuries.
None of the names of the injured passengers were released by CHP.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and assisted the California Highway Patrol with the investigation.
Neither alcohol nor drug use are suspected of being factors in this collision, the CHP said.
The CHP said the driver and passengers were not wearing safety belts or helmets.
The cause of this collision is still under investigation by CHP Officer Adilene Sanchez.
Thursday night crash kills one, injures four
- Lake County News reports
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