Off-Road Accident Victim Identified

Sonora, CA — The C.H.P. has identified the 25 year old female who suffered serious head injuries in an early Saturday morning accident in the Stanislaus National Forest.

Ashley Hupps of Sonora suffered head trauma when she was struck by the top of the windshield of a 1986 Suzuki Samurai near Keltz Mine Rd.

Hupps was the passenger in the vehicle driven by 30 year old Gregory Valente. He was wearing a safety restraint belt … she was not.

Valente was attempting to drive up a steep rock embankment at approximately 3am when the Suzuki rolled backwards.

Hupps was driven to a private residence for treatment but was transported to Sonora Regional Medical Center. Hupps was then life-flighted to U.C. Davis Medical Center where she remains hospitalized.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com