Fatal Accident South of Bridgeport

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL (CHP) OFFICE
BRIDGEPORT, CA

January 14, 2014

On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, at approximately 12:24 P.M., California Highway Patrol (CHP) Bishop Communications Center (BICC) received a report of a head-on traffic collision on US-395, south of Bridgeport.  Upon arrival, CHP officers located a Subaru wagon and a GMC van blocking the southbound lane of US-395.  The driver of the Subaru was deceased at the scene of the collision.  The driver of the GMC was transported to Bridgeport by Mono County Paramedics, then transferred to a Care Flight air ambulance.  She was then flown to Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, Mono County’s closest trauma center for treatment of her injuries.

Bridgeport Fire Department, Mono County Sheriff's Department, Mono County Paramedics and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) all responded to the scene to provide assistance.  Preliminary information indicates the Subaru crossed the center line of the roadway into the southbound lane, colliding with the van.  The exact sequence of the events and the cause of the collision remain under investigation by the CHP.  The Mono County Sheriff-Coroner Department arranged for removal of the deceased and will determine the cause of death of Suzanne Stokes.

Lieutenant R. D. Cohan, Commander of CHP's Bridgeport Area "Wishes to extend his condolences to the family of Suzanne Stokes, and all our best wishes to Barbara Koehler for a speedy recovery.  Collisions of this type demonstrate the need for drivers to continuously be attentive and remain vigilant about keeping their vehicles within their lane.  This collision happened on a clear, sunny day with no inclement weather."