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CHP officer, emergency personnel honored for role in saving fire victims
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you can find a lone hero.
If you’re even luckier, you can find a team of them.
That was the case last Dec. 20, when a fire was reported at a home on North Shore Drive in Hidden Valley Lake.
The fire critically injured 18-year-old Kevin Hart and 20-year-old Jordan Armstrong, but the two young men would find help from a team of men who were converging at the scene.
According to Facebook pages dedicated to the young men, both have continued to endure lengthy and sometimes excruciating treatments – including multiple surgeries – for their very serious injuries.
Both are now home, but still face lengthy recoveries due to their burns, the extent of which make them highly susceptible to secondary health issues.
Hidden Valley Lake Security Officer Byran Atkins, Security Operations Manager Steve Atkinson, off-duty firefighter/paramedic Gabe Lopez, Lake County Fire firefighter/EMT Eric Vineyard and California Highway Patrol Officer Josh Dye would all play a key part in coming to the aid of Hart and Armstrong.
Just what started the fire still hasn’t been determined.
South Lake County Fire Battalion Chief Scott Upton said insurance investigators continue to work to settle on the cause.
“They haven’t released anything yet,” he told Lake County News on Monday.
All five men were honored last month at the Red Cross’ ninth annual Real Heroes Breakfast and Fundraiser and Lopez was nominated for the Stars of Lake County’s Local Hero of the Year Award.
The bravery of all of the men was praised again on Monday when CHP Northern Division Assistant Chief Ruben Leal presented Dye with certificate of commendation from the CHP Commissioner’s Office and a CHP Meritorious Award.
Dye received the award at a potluck CHP held at its Kelseyville office.
The Red Cross awards narrative of the event explained that Lopez and his family were driving home to Hidden Valley when they saw the house fire. Lopez parked and ran to the fire, where Vineyard and a neighbor were caring for Armstrong.
A short time later, Lopez found Hart stumbling down an embankment, on fire, the narrative explained. Lopez then worked to put out the fire on Hart and in the grass around him.
During the afternoon ceremony Sgt. Rick Okazaki said that Dye heard the fire call and responded to the area, finding the house fully engulfed when he arrived.
Dye told Lake County News at the Monday event that he has responded to fires before, but this one was different.
When he initially got the call, he said there was a report of someone still trapped in the house, which later was found not to be the case.
When Dye got there, Hidden Valley Lake Security directed him to the fire, where he found Lopez with Hart. Dye, Atkins, Atkinson, Lopez, Vineyard and Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Lyle Thomas attended to Hart, Okazaki said.
Between the men and the home was a 250-gallon propane tank that caught fire and sent flames 20 to 30 feet in the air, and there was smoke everywhere, Okazaki said.
When firefighters arrived minutes later Dye and the group secured Hart for transport and helped get him to an air ambulance, which flew him out of county, according to Okazaki.
“They did everything they needed to without caring for their own safety,” Okazaki said of the heroic group.
Five other CHP officers – Erica Coddington, Kory Reynolds, Mark Crutcher, Randy Forslund and Brian Engle – later would arrive to offer assistance at the scene, Okazaki said.
Dye would suffer smoke inhalation and be treated for it at the hospital, Okazaki said. While he was being treated, his fellow officers dealt with biohazard issues on Dye’s equipment.
In presenting the award plaque to Dye, Leal – who traveled from Redding for the ceremony – said, “This is the fun part of my job.”
He added, “We have so many officers that go above and beyond, and take the extra step, with no regard for their own safety, to help others.”
Lt. Greg Baarts, commander of the CHP’s Clear Lake Area office, hand-delivered the nomination package to Leal, who said he knew right away that Dye’s actions deserved recognition.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Preliminary hearing for driver in April 15 fatal crash begins
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Monday the preliminary hearing began for a Clearlake man charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence and a number of other charges for an April 15 crash that took the life of his passenger.
The hearing began Monday afternoon for Danny Kirk Fields II, 27, before Judge Andrew Blum, according to Deputy District Attorney John Langan.
Langan said the proceedings didn’t conclude Monday and so will continue beginning at 2 p.m. Friday due to a waiver of the single-session preliminary hearing rule.
Fields is facing charges in connection with the crash that took the life of 31-year-old Clearlake resident Jennifer Clark. Fields himself suffered major injuries in the wreck.
He’s charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated with a special allegation of fleeing the scene and hit and run, driving under the influence causing bodily injury with a special allegation of great bodily injury causing death, hit and run, two prior DUIs, driving on a suspended license, special allegations that the crash occurred while he was on bail for two separate cases and allegations of having two prior prison terms, Langan said.
Fields also has two other felony drug cases involving methamphetamine set to go to preliminary hearing, which have been continued until the current case is handled, Langan said.
Clark, a female acquaintance of Fields’, was a witness in both of those drug cases, Langan said.
If convicted of all charges, Fields could face up to 15 years in state prison, according to Langan’s calculations.
Early on the morning of Sunday, April 15, Fields – driving a 1984 Chevrolet El Camino – went off Highway 29, traveling down an embankment and hitting a walnut tree, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP said Fields left the scene and was picked up by an unidentified driver, who took him to the Lower Lake Tower Mart. From there, his parents were contacted, and they reportedly took him to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake.
The original CHP report said hospital staff reported the crash to CHP just before 9 a.m. that day, and less than 20 minutes later sheriff’s deputies found the crash scene and Clark’s body.
Langan said Clark died of blunt force trauma she suffered during the crash.
Fields was arrested, released for medical treatment and then rearrested four days later on Thursday, April 19, the CHP said.
Langan said urine and blood tests taken about an hour after the crash showed a .05 blood alcohol level. Separate blood samples tested positive for methamphetamine, marijuana and opiates.
Fields is alleged to have admitted to drinking whiskey and beer, smoking marijuana and using meth, Langan said.
“That’s what’s in evidence,” Langan added.
As for why Clark was riding with Fields, “That’s going to become clear on Friday,” when testimony continues, Langan said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Middletown Days returns June 15-17
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The annual Middletown Days celebration has been going on for 51 years, and it’s one of those things that just gets better with time.
The event this year starts with roping on Friday, June 15, at 6 p.m. at Middletown’s Central Park.
Saturday, June 16, is the big day.
The parade through downtown Middletown at 10 a.m. is followed by a barbecue and rodeo at Central Park and a dance featuring the original Silver Creek band.
Sunday is the annual Father’s Day breakfast and the gymkhana at 1 p.m., plus music, food, and vendors in the park all day.
More information and entry forms are available at www.middletowndays.org or by email at
The annual event raises funds to support Middletown’s Central Park, which features an equestrian arena, children’s play area, barbecue facilities, and a stage and dance floor.
The park is operated and maintained solely by a nonprofit corporation using funds raised through community events.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, traveling from Perry’s Deli south of Middletown down Highway 29 to Tri Counties bank. Spectators should get to town before 9:30 a.m. to avoid getting caught in the detour traffic.
Parking is available on all streets east of Highway 29. Parking will not be permitted on most streets west of the highway.
Parade applications are available by email at
Parade entry cost is $5 for kids under 12, $7 for adults, and $10 for organizations and groups.
The barbecue starts at noon at Central Park, located just south of downtown Middletown.
Enjoy a delicious chicken or tri-tip meal with all the fixings while parade winners collect their trophies.
The cost is $12 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under. A karaoke contest follows at 1 p.m.
Fast action in the arena also starts at 1 p.m. with the Ranch Rodeo and Junior Rodeo.
Traditional rodeo events alternate with events for little cowboys and cowgirls throughout the day. Kid events include calf roping, mutton bustin', calf riding, and the hide ride.
Older cowpokes will compete in bronc riding, team roping, steer riding, and trailer loading events sanctioned by the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association (WSRRA).
Signups start at noon. For information contact Kevin Tighe at 707-355-2276.
The park will be filled with food, vendors and fun all day Saturday.
A special treat at last year’s 50th anniversary was the return of Silver Creek, a group of men who grew up in Pope Valley and played for Middletown Days while they were still in their teens.
The original members and friends reunited for the anniversary event, and will return this year to play for the traditional Saturday night dance.
The dance is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. under the stars at Central Park.
The cost is $15 for adults, $10 for teens 13-18, and free for 12 and under.
Sunday starts early with the Father's Day Breakfast hosted by the Middletown Lioness Club from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Cost is $7 for adults, $4 for kids 6 and under.
Entertainment in the park includes a variety of music all day long and the gymkhana beginning at 11 a.m. (signups at 10 a.m.).
The big finale is the Queen’s Drawing for beef donated by the Deberry family just before the most exciting events, the rescue race and hide ride.
Contact Johanna Snell for gymkhana information at 707-355-1276.
The Cowboy Cafe is open with delicious hamburgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches all day, and of course the Middletown Lions will be pouring at the beer booth.
Take the short drive to Middletown for some country western family fun and see for yourself why Middletown has been Lake County’s mid-June destination spot for 51 years.
Fallen officers remembered on National Peace Officers Memorial Day
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Men and women who died in the line of duty will be remembered on Tuesday during National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week.
This year, National Police Week is from Sunday, May 13, through Saturday, May 19.
Since the first recorded death in 1791, almost 20,000 law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty.
Three Lake County law enforcement officers who have been killed on the job are commemorated at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
They are Sheriff George W. Kemp, May 1910; Deputy Sheriff William Hoyt, October 1967; and Sgt. Richard Helbush, May 1981.
A fourth man, Deputy Harry Snowbelt, was reportedly shot to death in Lower Lake in October 1937. His name is not listed in the memorial.
There are approximately 900,000 law enforcement officers serving in communities across the United States.
Nearly 60,000 assaults against law enforcement officers are reported each year, resulting in approximately 16,000 injuries.
The service and sacrifice of all officers killed in the line of duty were honored during the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s 24th Annual Candlelight Vigil, held on the evening of Sunday, May 13, in Washington, D.C.
