COARSEGOLD – One driver was killed and another critically injured in a near head-on collision on Highway 41 this afternoon.
At about 4 p.m., Kai Eugene Kelikuli, 49, of Santa Maria, was northbound in a 2015 Volkswagen about a mile north of Yosemite Springs Parkway.
According to a northbound driver who was just ahead of the Volkswagen and witnessed the crash, they were in a passing area of single lanes in both directions, with a broken yellow line down the center of the road.
The witness told CHP that he was traveling at about 60 mph, and the Volkswagen came up behind him and pulled into the southbound lane to pass.
At the same location was a southbound 2007 Chevy SUV driven by Victoria Marie Gomez, 30, of Fresno.
The witness told CHP the Volkswagen passed just as the Chevy was approaching. They collided nearly head-on, sending both vehicles careening onto the west shoulder of the road.
The driver of the Volkswagen was ejected out onto the roadway and suffered major injuries. He was transported by Sierra Ambulance to the landing zone at Minarets High School and airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. According to CHP at the scene, the VW’s airbags deployed but it did not appear Kelikuli was wearing a seat belt.
Victoria Gomez sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
There were no passengers in either vehicle.
The roadway was closed for over an hour in both directions.
According to CHP, criminal charges against Mr. Kelikuli will be considered following the conclusion of the investigation. Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in this accident, however drug impairment has not yet been ruled out.
