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HomeLocal & Regional NewsCHP Report: Susanville Woman Killed in Five Vehicle Collision on Highway 36

CHP Report: Susanville Woman Killed in Five Vehicle Collision on Highway 36

A Susanville woman was killed Tuesday morning when her SUV was involved in a horrific five-vehicle collision on Highway 36 just west of the intersection with Highway 395 near Johnstonville.

According to details provided by the Susanville office of the California Highway Patrol, the crash was triggered when a 1998 Ford Club Wagon van, driven by 49-year-old Sacramento resident William Dougherty, approached stopped traffic in the intersection at a high rate of speed while allegedly under the influence of narcotics, and failed to stop his vehicle before it collided with the line of cars.

The report shows that shortly before 8:00a.m., a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado was traveling on a green light through the intersection, at a slow rate of speed, after having been stopped for a red traffic signal. That vehicle held two Susanville residents – Levy and Melinda Chaffin.

Behind that vehicle was a 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by 31-year-old Susanville resident Michael Warren. According to the CHP’s report he was also traveling on a green light, at a slow rate of speed, after having been stopped for a red traffic signal light.

A 2024 Freightliner big-rig was directly behind Warren’s Jeep and was completely stopped for the previous red traffic light that had phased to green.

A 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 47-year-old Susanville resident whose name is being withheld, was stopped behind the big-rig for the previous red light that had phased to green. There was also a ten-year old passenger in the Equinox.

At this point Dougherty and his 1998 van were traveling eastbound on SR-36, approaching US Highway 395, at what the CHP characterized as, “a high rate of speed for the conditions,” as he approached the stopped and slower traffic ahead.

“The driver of Vehicle One (the Club Wagon van) was unable to slow, stop, or take evasive action before the front of the vehicle impacted the right rear of vehicle 2,” explains CHP Public Information Officer Travis Music.

“As a result of this impact, [the Equinox] was pushed forward, and the front and right side of the vehicle impacted the left rear of Vehicle 3.”

After the impact with the Equinox, Dougherty’s van veered to the right, missing the tractor/trailer combination. After passing the truck he veered back to the left, and the front of the van impacted the rear of Warren’s Jeep.

As a result of this impact, the Jeep was pushed foward, and the front impacted the rear of the Chaffin’s Silverado.

As a result of this crash, the driver of the Equinox sustained fatal injuries at the scene and her ten-year-old passenger sustained major injuries and was life-flighted to Renown Medical Center in Reno.

The drivers of the Jeep and the Silverado had suspected minor injuries and were not transported.

Dougherty, the driver of the van, sustained a suspected minor injury and was transported to Banner Lassen Medical Center. According to the CHP he was ultimately placed under arrest for Driving Under the Influence, as drug influence was suspected.

Dougherty was booked into the Lassen County Jail for the following charges: 187(a) PC- ‘Watson’ DUI Murder, 191.5(a) PC- Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Under the Influence of Drugs, 23153(f) VC- DUI (Drugs) Causing Death, and 23152(c) VC- Driving While Addicted to a Drug.

Officer Music said, “The Susanville Area CHP sends its heart-felt condolences to all those affected by this incident. The Susanville Area CHP would like to thank personnel from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Department, Susanville Police Department, Lassen County District Attorney’s Office, California Department of Transportation, Cal-FIRE, Susanville Fire Department, Susan River Fire Department, High Desert State Prison, SEMSA, the staff at Banner Lassen and Renown Medical Centers, and Lassen County Animal Control for their efforts and assistance at this extensive incident.”

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