Highway 12 Collision Causes Fatality

San Andreas, CA– A multi-vehicle accident in San Andreas yesterday caused major injuries and one fatality.

According to the San Andreas CHP, at around 3 pm, 53-year-old Jamie Patrice Pacheco of San Andreas was reportedly driving her Jeep Cherokee erratically on westbound Highway 12. She was drifting on and off of the shoulder and across the solid double yellow lines into oncoming traffic.

Pacheco swerved into the eastbound lane of Highway 12 at Central Hill, forcing 55-year-old Clifford Edison of San Andreas off the roadway. Edison lost control of his vehicle and it rolled down a dirt embankment. Pacheco continued to drive erratically westbound on Highway 12. She crossed into oncoming traffic again and this time collided with 65-year-old Jack Tucker of Valley Springs who was driving his vehicle eastbound on Highway 12. The impact forced Tucker’s vehicle off the roadway.

Pacheco continued driving erratically westbound as she traveled up Briski Hill. She drifted off the road onto the north shoulder of Highway 12. As she attempted to gain control of her vehicle, it swerved sharply back onto the roadway. This action caused her to skid across the double yellow lines and collide with 36-year-old Darrin Mills of Altaville who was driving his truck and trailer eastbound on Highway 12.

Pacheco and Mills were extricated by Fire Department personnel. Pacheco, Mills and Edison suffered major injuries and were all transported to various hospitals. The CHP received confirmation this morning from Memorial Hospital in Modesto that Pacheco had succumbed to her injuries.

CHP Officer Rebecca Myers says the accident is still under investigation.

Written by tina.falco@mlode.com