On March 9th, Nancy Ann Schlefstein, 45 of Loyalton, was driving southbound on US 395 south of Long Valley UC in the #2 lane at a speed of 70 mph in her 2015 Volkswagon Golf. As Schlefstein continued south a deer entered the roadway from the west shoulder traveling in an easterly direction. Schlefstein applied the brakes of the vehicle in an attempt to avoid a collision with the deer but was unable to and struck the deer. Following the collision with the deer she pulled her vehicle to the shoulder and contacted law enforcement.
On March 12th on SR-70 east of Long Valley Creek, Rebecca C. Kinkead, 68 of Loyaton was driving her 2016 Kia sedan when she observed a Subaru stoped ahead of her in the eastbound lane. Kinkead stoped behind the Subaru and she observed an animal (later identified as a beaver) crossing the highway. A vehicle approaching westbound on SR-70 also had to stop to allow the beaver to continue crossing the highway.
Ramon A. Rivas, Jr. 24 of Sparks, NV was driving a 2014 Chrysler and was approaching eastbound on SR-70 and failed to realize that traffic was stopped ahead of him within the eastbound lane. Rivas was unable to safely slow or stop as the front of his Chrysler impacted the rear of Kinkead’s Kia sedan.
On March 19th at 5:45 a.m., on US-395 northbound .5 miles south of Long Valley undercrossing, Jaiden M. Hicks, 18, of Susanville was driving a 2004 Kia Sorento at a stated speed of 65-70 mph with passenger, Stephen Twizere, 21 of Susanville. Hicks fell asleep and allowed his Kia to enter the grass median west of US-395. Hicks awoke and turned the Kia to the right in an effort to return to the northbound traffic lnes. Hicks subsequently lost control of the Kia as it veered across the lanes, left the road and entered an ascending dirt embankment east of US-395. The Kia continued to slide and overturned multiple times. Hicks and his passenger were both wearing safety belts and minor injuries were reported as a result of the collision.
