Once at scene Officer Watson observed a bear cub running in the traffic lane. Officer Watson proceeded past the bear cub and turned his patrol vehicle around. Simultaneously Mariposa County Sheriff Deputy Tim Lewis arrived on scene. Both the CHP vehicle and Sheriff's vehicle were stopped in the traffic lanes with emergency lighting activated, and the officers were exchanging information. At approximately 11:05 A.M. Vanessa Cook, 21, of Mariposa was driving her 2006 Pontiac north on Triangle Road, approaching the two emergency vehicles, at approximately 45 MPH.
As Ms. Cook steered though a curve in the roadway she heavily applied the brakes to her vehicle. The front two tires of her vehicle locked into a front wheel locked skid and the Pontiac traversed the solid double yellow lines and collided head-on into the CHP patrol vehicle.
The air bags in both vehicles deployed. Both drivers sustained minor injuries consisting of mainly abrasions to the arms. No drugs or alcohol are suspected.
This collision is still under investigation by Officer Steven Lewis.
Source: CHP
