LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation into a crash Monday night involving a pickup driven by the county’s sheriff and a pedestrian.
The collision, which occurred just before 8 p.m. Monday on Highway 29 near Wardlaw Street, involved a 2001 GMC pickup driven by Sheriff Frank Rivero, 53, and a pedestrian, 34-year-old Clinton Turney of Middletown.
Turney, who was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, suffered minor injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.
In a statement released by his office on Tuesday afternoon – which Rivero said he felt was necessary due to the high profile of his job – Rivero said that he was off duty in his personal vehicle when the collision occurred. He said he stopped immediately, called 911 and rendered aid.
According to Rivero’s account, Turney “unexpectedly darted out” in front of him at the intersection, which the CHP said has signal lights and cross walks.
“Statements provided to the CHP from witnesses confirmed the Sheriff was proceeding through the intersection at a low rate of speed through a green traffic signal,” according to the statement from Rivero’s office. “No citation was issued and the accident is appropriately being handled by the CHP.”
Rivero said he’s keeping Turney in his prayers and was grateful to the witnesses for their comfort at the scene, and to the 911 dispatcher and responding personnel “for their prompt and
professional handling of the matter.”
For its part, CHP has released few details on the collision, which officials said is still being investigated.
Sgt. Rick Okazaki told Lake County News that the CHP has only two witnesses in the case, neither of which actually saw the collision, only heard it.
The CHP said toxicology screens were not required of either of the men.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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