Wednesday, 14 February 2007 04:10

CHP Report On Friday Fatal Accident Released

The California Highway Patrol has released the report on Friday afternoon’s fatal accident that closed hwy 88 for several hours. The accident occurred around 2:18 when Suzann Lacoste, 46 and of Pine Grove was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed on westbound Hwy. 88 in a 1995 Buick LeSabre. According to Officer Jeremy Dobler’s CHP report, Lacoste, due to her unsafe speed for the wet roadway conditions, lost control of her vehicle while entering a sweeping curve on Hwy. 88 near Toyon Rd. Steven Merrill, of Pioneer, was traveling eastbound on 88 in a 1991 Ford F250 pickup truck was hit head on when Lacoste traveled into the eastbound lane just below Smalley’s Sales and Service. The result was devastating. The force of the impact sheared Lacoste’s LeSabre into 3 pieces which came to rest along the shoulder and embankment of the highway. Merrill’s pickup truck came to rest facing in a southerly direction on the south shoulder of Hwy. 88. As a result of the accident LaCoste sustained fatal injuries. Merrill and his passenger, Luis Alvarad, 27 of Stockton were both transported to Sutter Amador Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

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