One fatality, one arrest in Leggett traffic collision last week

A woman from Alameda was driving her 2001 Ford Escape, northbound on US-101, just south of State Route 1, near Leggett, CA.

David Gosselin from Leggett, CA., was driving his 2007 Toyota Tacoma, southbound on US-101, also just south of State Route 1, near Leggett.  For reasons still under investigation, Gosselin lost control of his Toyota Tacoma which spun out, and traveled into the northbound lane, directly into the path of the Ford.  The Toyota Tacoma and the Ford collided within the northbound lane.  The Toyota Tacoma then collided with a northbound Toyota Camry, driven by Ivan Romero, which had been traveling behind the Ford.

The Ford and the Toyota Camry traveled off the east roadway edge and collided with the embankment.  The cab of the Toyota Tacoma became separated from the chassis and both the cab and the chassis overturned and came to rest in the lanes of US-101.

The driver of the Ford succumbed to her injuries at the scene.  Her passenger, Barry Greenburg, Rhiannon Chavez Miramontes, the passenger of the Camry, and David Gosselin were all transported to Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits with major injuries.  Ivan Romero was treated and released at the scene with suspected minor injuries.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) assumed and maintained incident command.  US-101 was closed for approximately five hours while the CHP conducted an investigation and to allow for scene clean up.

Traffic was diverted on to State Route 271 by Cal-Trans, and motorists experienced only minor delays.  Personnel from The Mendocino County Sheriff's Department, Cal-Fire, Leggett Fire, Laytonville Fire, and  Piercy Fire, all responded to assist with the scene.

Gosselin was evaluated and placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.  He was released at the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

This incident remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol Garberville Area.