The California Highway Patrol is announcing details today about the accident that closed Highway 395 at Bass Hill Monday morning.
According to the report, Redding resident Michael Johnson was travelling northbound on US-395 when he turned into a wide dirt turnout on the east side of the highway near the Bass Hill dump road.
For unknown reasons, he allegedly accelerated rapidly, losing control of the vehicle as it began to fishtail on the dirt shoulder.
Then, according to the CHP, Johnson’s vehicle entered the northbound lane, almost perpendicular to the roadway, directly into the path of Portola resident Chris Turren, who was traveling northbound in a 3/4 ton Dodge Ram pickup.
Mr. Turren turned to the left but was unable to avoid the errant Jeep. Upon impact the occupants of the Jeep were ejected and landed in the roadway while their vehicle continued until it came to rest on its wheels in the southbound #2 lane. The Dodge pickup also came to rest on its wheels in the southbound #2 lane.
Johnson and his passenger, Angela Sullyharbord of Redding, were transported to Renown Medical Center for treatment of undetermined injuries.
Turren was treated and released from Banner Lassen Medical Center. The collision remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
