- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Man killed in fatal DUI crash identified
Lt. Corey Paulich said Robert Lewis Cromer, 74, died as a result of the crash.
Cromer was killed shortly before 7:30 a.m. Sept. 4 on Highway 29 just north of Grange Road when his Chevrolet Prizm collided head-on with a Kia Optima driven by 43-year-old Bryan K. Taber of Clearlake Oaks, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.
The CHP said Taber was driving northbound on Highway 29 when he drifted across the solid double yellow lines and collided head-on with Cromer’s car.
Authorities said Cromer died at the scene, while Taber was transported to Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital in Clearlake for treatment of major injuries.
Officers arrested Taber for driving under the influence of prescription medication and cannabis but released him from custody to the hospital for treatment, the CHP said.
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