CHP report on Officer involved collision

   According to a CHP report, on July 5, 2015 at approximately 2:34 PM a red Mazda Miata, driven Daniel Vasquez-Rodriguez (22) of Valley Springs was traveling westbound on Hwy 12 at
approximately 55 MPH, east of Central Hill Road between San Andreas and Valley Springs.

   CHP officer Wilkinson (33) a San Andreas CHP office, was traveling eastbound on Hwy 12 in a fully marked CHP Ford Explorer at approximately 55 MPH. approaching the Mazda.

    This collision occurred when Vasquez failed to negotiate a left curve in the roadway and drove the Mazda off the pavement and into the gravel and dirt shoulder on the north side of Hwy 12.

   Vasquez then swerved back to the left, traveling back onto the roadway. Vasquez lost control of the Mazda, traveling across the double yellow lines and directly into the path of the CHP unit.

   The front of the Mazda collided into the driver side door of the CHP unit.  The impact caused the CHP unit to travel onto the south shoulder of Hwy 12 and roll over one time, coming to rest on its wheels, blocking both lanes.

    The Mazda came to rest blocking the eastbound lane. Hwy 12 was closed for approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.  Alcohol and/or drugs are not a factor in this collision, which is still under investigation.

   Vasquez was transported to Mark Twain Hospital with minor injuries.  Officer Wilkinson was flown by air ambulance to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto for moderate injuries.