A tragic collision on Sunday morning resulted in one death and serious injuries to another. Quincy CHP has released details of the incident.
At around 10 a.m., a couple from Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, whose names have not been released, were traveling south on US 395 just north of Highway 70. A Ford F-150, driven by 18-year-old Natalie Roman-Jimenez of Reno, attempted to pass a slower vehicle over solid double yellow lines. Due to the location being on a slight hill, the F-150 crossed directly into the path of the couple’s motorcycle, resulting in a head-on collision.
Both the rider and passenger of the motorcycle were ejected. They were taken to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, where the male rider later died from his injuries. The female passenger remains in serious condition with life-threatening injuries.
The driver and passenger of the Ford F-150 sustained minor injuries. Officials have indicated that DUI was not a factor in the collision.
This collision has renewed concerns among locals about the safety of the highway and the need for improvements. In May, Caltrans presented the Board of Supervisors with three major projects to enhance safety on US 395 in South County, driven by the efforts of the US 395 Coalition. The key initiatives include the Red Rock Safety Project, the state’s largest safety project, with a $50 million budget. The project aims to reduce collisions by widening the roadway, installing medians, and making other safety enhancements.
