At 9:44 a.m., the California Highway Patrol responded to reports of a traffic accident on Highway 18 near Big Bear. The collision occurred in an area known as the Arctic Circle near mile post 41.00.
According to a California Highway Patrol media release, a 31 year old male from Elk Grove, California, was driving a white 2004 Honda Civic upbound on Highway 18 towards Big Bear. For reasons still under investigation by the CHP, the Honda crossed the double yellow lines into oncoming traffic. It was struck by a Chevy Tahoe driven by Scott Anderson, an 80 year old resident of Big Bear. The impact caused major damage to the passenger side of the Honda Civic.
According to officials at the scene, the passenger in the Honda, a 22 year old female from La Habra, suffered fatal injuries during the collision. The male driver of the Honda was unresponsive at the scene. He was transported to Bear Valley Community Hospital. From there, he was airlifted to a trauma center. Initially, a LifeFlight helicopter was summoned to land at the scene however high winds prevented a safe landing. The driver of the Suburban sustained minor injuries.
Conditions on the highway were light traffic at the time of the accident. Officials at the scene along with bystanders confirmed that there was ice on the roadways. CalTrans had spread cinders on the highway to improve traction. According to official reports, drugs and/or alcohol were not a factor in this collision.
This is a very sad story. To lose a child, no matter the age, it’s so very soc. I’m glad that the driver of the Tahoe escaped uninjured. Hopefully the other driver pulls through.