A serious traffic collision involving three vehicles occurred today on State Route 44 near McCoy Road in Lassen County, CA. The incident was first reported at 3:58 PM when a vehicle was observed off the roadway. By 4:04 PM, emergency responders confirmed that one vehicle had collided with a tree.
Initially, the extent of injuries was reported as unknown. However, by 6:14 PM, the California Highway Patrol reclassified the incident from minor to major injuries, indicating a significant escalation in the severity of the situation. Multiple emergency service units were dispatched to the scene, arriving around 4:31 PM to manage the incident and provide assistance.
Traffic was held to facilitate vehicle recovery operations, which began around 5:37 PM. Officers on-site gathered witness statements to aid in the investigation. The vehicle involved, identified as a Ford Escape, sustained major front-end damage and was located approximately 20 to 30 feet off the roadway. It is likely that the vehicle will be towed from the scene.
The collision involved two red vehicles and one black vehicle, all of which were stopped on the roadway during the incident. Fortunately, no chain restrictions were reported in the area, allowing for some traffic flow, although significant delays were expected due to the ongoing recovery efforts.
The last unit cleared the scene at approximately 7:21 PM, marking the end of a lengthy response to this serious incident. The California Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision and urges anyone with information to come forward.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers present on our roadways and the importance of safe driving practices. As investigations continue, updates will be provided to keep the public informed.