NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Lakeport woman died on Christmas day in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 20 in Mendocino County.

The California Highway Patrol’s Ukiah Area office identified the crash victim as Janice Kespohl, 80.

The CHP said the collision occurred at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 20, west of Eastside Potter Valley Road.

Kespohl was driving her 2017 Hyundai westbound on Highway 20 within the No. 2 lane, as Cielo Alavezos, 24, of Ukiah was driving her 2014 Toyota SUV in the No. 1 lane, also westbound, approaching Kespohl from the rear, according to the report.

The CHP said that, based on the investigation so far, it appears that Kespohl attempted to make a u-turn from the No. 2 lane directly in front of Alavezos.

As a result, the front of Alavezos’ Toyota hit the left side of Kespohl’s Hyundai, with both vehicles coming to rest within the westbound traffic lanes, the CHP said.

Reports from the scene indicated the highway’s westbound lanes were shut down due to the wreck, with Caltrans called to help with traffic control.

The CHP said Kespohl – who radio traffic said was trapped in her vehicle – succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

The report from the CHP did not indicate that Alavezos was injured.

Both women were wearing their seat belts, the CHP reported.

As of the time of the CHP’s update on the crash, the agency said it hadn’t determined whether drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision.

The CHP said the wreck remains under investigation.

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