News

An 82-year-old Hoopa man injured in a Sunday car crash has died, the California Highway Patrol announced today.

Christopher F. Colgrove reportedly drove his Lexus sedan head-on into an oncoming pickup truck on State Route 299, east of East Fork Bridge, shortly before noon Sunday. No update was provided as to the condition of the other driver, who was also injured, according to CHP.

Colgrove’s death marks the 22nd this year stemming from car accidents in Humboldt County, which puts us on pace for our highest accident fatality total in more than a decade. For more on Humboldt County’s grisly vehicle fatality rates — some of the highest in the nation — pick up this week’s Journal, which hits newsstands Wednesday.

For more on this weekend’s accident, see the full CHP press release below:

UPDATE: Driver, Christopher F. Colgrove was flown to Mercy Redding where he passed away as a result of this traffic collision.

TWO VEHICLE COLLISION ON SR-299
RESULTS IN MAJOR INJURIES

Willow Creek, Calif. – On the morning of Sunday, August 30, a Lexus sedan was traveling eastbound on State Route 299, east of East Fork Bridge, drove head-on into a Toyota Tacoma pickup traveling westbound.

At approximately 11:25 a.m., 82 year old male, Christopher F Colgrove of Hoopa was driving a 2004 Lexus IS300 eastbound on State Route 299, east of East Fork Bridge. Colgrove attempted to negotiate a left curve in the roadway at an unsafe speed for the curve and wet roadway conditions. This caused him to lose control of the Lexus. The Lexus went into the opposing lane which was occupied by a 2000 Toyota Tacoma being driven by 40 year old female, Cinnamon Tiffany VanHorn of McKinleyville. VanHorn took evasive action and turned the Tacoma to the left in an attempt to avoid a collision but the vehicle collided head-on. Both vehicles came to rest upright on all four wheels, partially on the north shoulder and partially in the westbound traffic lane. Both involved drivers were transported to Mad River Community Hospital by Hoopa Ambulance. Colgrove sustained major injuries to his head, neck and spine. VanHorn sustained complaint of pain to her chest and abdomen. One-way controlled traffic was maintained with the assistance of Willow Creek Volunteer Fire Department. All occupants were restrained and DUI is not a factor in this collision.

The California Highway Patrol Humboldt Area is investigating this traffic collision.