[07-11-2024] Lake County, CA – Teenage Driver Killed, Four Juvenile Passengers Injured After Single-Vehicle Off-Road Crash Near Lower Lake

A teenage driver was killed, while four juvenile passengers were injured after a single-vehicle off-road crash near Lower Lake, Lake County, on Thursday night, July 11, 2024.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident occurred at about 9:26 p.m. at a private property along Schwartz Lane.

CHP said the accident involved a 2015 Polaris RZR, which its model information describes as a side-by-side off-road vehicle with up to four seats. At the time of the collision, the vehicle was occupied by an 18-year-old male driver from Michigan and four juvenile passengers.

Initial investigations suggest that the Polaris was within the private property, going east at an unverified speed when it suddenly overturned onto its left side and came to a rest.

The teenage driver of the offroad vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene by the responding Lake County Fire District officials. Further information about the deceased’s identity will be released after his next of kin is notified.

All four juvenile passengers were injured in the accident. Two of them were airlifted to Sacramento for further medical care after sustaining major injuries. The other two, one of which reportedly got ejected from the vehicle while overturning, suffered minor injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The official cause of the single-vehicle collision is still under investigation. CHP has since ruled out the possibility of alcohol or drugs as factors.

Additional information will be provided by the authorities as soon as it becomes available.