OAKHURST – Two morning drive time solo-vehicle accidents sent two mountain area women to the hospital today.
Zuleima Bernabe, 24, of Oakhurst, was westbound on Road 426 on Thursday, Aug. 27 at approximately 7:25 a.m. Bernabe was just past the mural at the Methodist Church at a stated speed of 35 miles per hour when she lost control of her 2002 Honda Civic.
She then swerved into the curb on the right side of the road, went over the sidewalk and hit some landscaping blocks, rolled twice, and came to rest in the parking lot of Camarena Health. The driver told officers it felt like a tire had gone out.
She suffered a head injury and was transported by Sierra Ambulance to the landing zone at Von’s and airlifted by SkyLife air ambulance to Community Regional Medical Center. There were no other vehicles involved and no other occupants in the Honda.
Earlier today, at about 6:15 a.m., another accident snarled traffic over Deadwood. Irene Clendenning, of Coarsegold, was southbound on Highway 41 about halfway up Deadwood when she drifted to the right, catching her tire in the abrupt edge of the roadway. She was unable to safely pull her car back onto the road, hit a rock, and the compact SUV rolled onto its side.
The vehicle came to rest partially blocking the southbound lane. Emergency workers had to pry the door open to extract the driver, according to CHP. Traffic control was put in place for about 30 minutes. The driver was transported by ground ambulance to Saint Agnes with complaints of chest and back pain.
Both accidents are under investigation.
