Friday Evening Traffic Fatality Identified

Sonora, CA — 19 year old Cody George of Valley Springs has been positively identified as the deceased in that Friday evening single vehicle accident on Hwy 49 north or Rawhide Rd.

George was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 19 year old Trevor Larson also of Valley Springs.

According to the CHP report Larson was driving under the influence and over the posted speed limit of 55mph when he lost control of his 1999 Volkswagen Jetta and collided with two separate cattle fences and a wood picket fence. The vehicle was discovered in the front yard of a private residence. Larson failed in his efforts to remove the Jetta from that location.

George was the only one of the three occupants not wearing a seatbelt.

Larson suffered major injuries and was transported to Sonora Regional Medical Center. The third occupant, 19 year old Colton McTerr of Mokelumne Hill, was not injured.

Larson now faces DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges.

George’s death marks the 17th traffic related fatality in Tuolumne County this year. There were only three last year.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com