Freeway collision kills 1, seriously injures CHP trooper; driver arrested

BY COLBY FRAZIER
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

A Ventura based California Highway Patrol trooper was seriously injured and another person was killed yesterday, after a full-sized Ford pickup drifted onto the shoulder of the northbound 101 Freeway near Padre Juan Canyon Road, struck a Nissan SUV that the trooper had pulled over and burst into flames. The driver was arrested on charges of felony DUI.
The collision occurred at 4:30 p.m. and prompted officials to close all northbound lanes of the freeway at the scene of the accident, which is between Emma Wood State Beach and Seacliff.


A CHP spokesman said traffic was diverted onto the Pacific Coast Highway just north of Ventura and back onto the 101 at the Seacliff onramp.
“The CHP officer, who was on the right side of the stopped Nissan, was propelled by the impact onto the shoulder,” said Don Clotworthy, a CHP spokesman. He said the trooper was air lifted by a Ventura County Fire Department helicopter to a nearby hospital where he was in stable condition.
The driver of the Nissan was pronounced dead at the scene and the two passengers in the Ford pickup sustained minor injuries, Clotworthy said.
Debby Meek, a clerical employee for the Ventura based CHP, said the northbound lanes may be closed until this morning.