CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Two Ukiah teenagers were injured on Saturday when the vehicle in which they were traveling went off of Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks.

The crash occurred east of Walker Ridge Road just before 2:30 p.m., according to Officer Kory Reynolds of the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.

The two young women injured were Maria Vargas, 18, and Angelica Duarte, 19, Reynolds reported.

Reynolds said Vargas was driving eastbound on Highway 20 when, for unknown reasons, she allowed her 1999 Toyota Camry to go off the roadway, strike an embankment and overturn.

Northshore Fire Deputy Chief Pat Brown told Lake County News on Saturday that the Camry had gone off the road and about 150 feet down an embankment. Northshore Fire and Williams Fire had to use a rope rescue to bring Vargas and Duarte up from the demolished car.

Reynolds said both young women were transported to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. Vargas complained of pain to her back, head and legs, and Duarte had pain and small lacerations to her forehead.  

He said the collision is still under investigation by CHP Officer Steve Patrick.