According to Officer Jeremy Dobler’s report Jim Steher, 51 and of Placerville, was northbound on Latrobe Road, and due to his excessive speed on the wet roadway he slid across the double yellow lanes and collided with 54 year old Plymouth resident Randy Dias’ vehicle. Officer Dobler’s advice to drivers was to, “Once again, slow down on those wet roadways!”

An accident that occurred on Saturday in Fiddletown was the result of an intoxicated driver. 35 year old Donald Weese of Fiddletown was driving his 1989 Toyota pickup truck west bound on Fiddletown road at a high rate of speed. Due to Weese’s intoxication he allowed his vehicle to drift off the right shoulder of the road where his truck ran head on into a cement bridge wall. Investigating Officer Michael Lemaster’s report states that Weese was not wearing his seat belt and as a result Weese was air lifted to Sutter Roseville Hospital with major internal injuries. On Sunday at 1:30 in the afternoon the fairly new stop light in Pine Grove was the scene of another accident. 

According to Officer Patrick Ong’s report Virginia Rolf, 53 and of Pine Grove was traveling east bound on Hwy 88 and was stopped behind several cars for a red light at the intersection of Ridge Rd and Hwy. 88 in Pine Grove. John Chatham, 54 and of Pioneer, was traveling on Hwy. 88 as well, behind Rolf, at 40-45 miles per hour, and approaching fast. Chatham became distracted when he dropped his cell phone and was reaching down to retrieve it. When Chatham looked up and suddenly observed Rolf stopped ahead of him at the light and applied his brakes, but was unable to stop before rear ending Rolf. Both Rolf and Catham and his passenger were uninjured in the accident.

Just minutes later another accident occurred at Jackson Valley Road just west of Camanche Road. 74 year old Genevieve Lukecart of Placerville was stopped on Camanche Road at intersection west of Jackson Valley Road. Yank Thao, 23 and of Sacramento was west bound on Jackson Valley, Road just east of Camanche Road. As Thao approached Lukecart turned left directly in the path of of Thao’s 1999 Honda. Thao slammed on his brakes but could not stop and the left of his Honda sideswiped the right of Lukecart’s 1996 Oldsmobile. According to Officer Brian Hagemann’s report Lukecart failed to yield to the right of way to Thao. Neither driver was injured in the accident.

In addition the Amador Area Unit of the California Highway patrol will be holding its next Start Smart Class on Thurdsay November 9, 2006 at 6:30 PM.  The class is expected to run until approximately 9:00 PM.  The class is designed for new and soon to be licensed teen drivers and their parents.  At least 1 parent or guardian is required to attend.  Please contact the Amador Area CHP at 223-4890 for a reservation.