LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Two women died on Monday afternoon following a head-on crash on Highway 29 near Hidden Valley Lake.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office identified the two crash victims as Velma Darlene Whitley, 92, and Sharon Gale Dennis, 83, both of Hidden Valley Lake.

The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said its officers were dispatched to the wreck at 2:35 p.m. Monday.

The CHP said the crash occurred on Highway 29, south of mile post marker 29.12, near Hidden Valley Lake.

When the officers arrived, they determined that Whitley was driving a 2010 Ford Edge southbound on Highway 29, according to the CHP report.

The CHP said Margaret Ann Titus, 58, of Lower Lake was driving a 2011 Nissan Altima northbound with Dennis as her passenger, seated in the front passenger seat. 

For reasons the CHP said are still undetermined, Whitley allowed her vehicle to cross into the opposing traffic lane, resulting in a head-on crash with Titus’ Nissan.

Whitley was transported from the scene and ultimately succumbed to her injuries, the CHP said.

Titus suffered moderate injuries and was transported from the scene, the CHP said. Dennis died of her injuries at the scene. 

The CHP said all three women were believed to be wearing their seatbelts. Drug or alcohol impairment is not suspected in this crash.  

Resources from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Fire Protection District, Caltrans, California Department of Fire and Five Star Towing responded to the scene and assisted the California Highway Patrol with the investigation. 

Highway 29 was closed for a short period during extrication efforts, with one-way traffic control established shortly thereafter, the CHP said.