Elena Esquivel (30) with her partner

UPDATE 4:30 P.M.: [note: Road is now open] The victim in the crash has been identified as Elena Marie Esquivel age 30 of Fortuna. Below is the CHP Press Release

FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION ON REDWOOD DRIVE NORTH OF REDWAY
 
On August 30, 2012, at approximately 9:25 am, 30 year old Elena Marie Esquivel of Fortuna, California was the driver and only occupant of her 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback while traveling southbound on Redwood Drive, south of Camp 31 Road (north of Redway).  For reasons still under investigation, Esquivel lost control of the vehicle and drove off the west roadway edge, subsequently colliding into a power pole guide wire.  The impact caused the power pole to snap in half.  The Subaru then collided into a tree and continued to overturn down a steep embankment.  The Subaru came to rest on its roof on the river bar at the bottom of the embankment.  Esquivel suffered fatal injuries as a result of the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
 
Redwood Drive north of Redway was closed for approximately 6 hours while PG&E made repairs to the power pole.  Esquivel was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the collision and DUI is not believed to be a factor.  The Garberville Area CHP office is investigating this collision.
 

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A fatal crash near Dean Creek on Redway Drive just before 9:30 this morning (See CHPWatch’s dispatches in real time of the wreck—note the phone on the road detail) is disrupting power and road services to the area. CHP Spokesperson Matthew Harvey says, “The roadway is still closed and will be reopen[ed] around 4 or 5 pm.”  Traffic is being rerouted around the area.

A power pole was damaged and power went out to 2200 households.  Power has been restored in most areas but is still out in areas of Garberville, Redway, Miranda, Ettersburg, and Honeydew.