Press release from the California Highway Patrol:
On January 18, 2019, at approximately 1640 hours, a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Ramon Machado was traveling northbound on US-101, just north of Reynolds Highway in the #1 traffic lane. For an unknown reason, the driver of the Dodge Ram allowed his vehicle to drift to the left into the southbound traffic lane, where it collided with a 2013 Mercedes Sprinter Van, which was traveling southbound US-101 in the southbound #1 lane. The driver of the Dodge Ram was transported to Howard Memorial Hospital with major injuries, and was evaluated for DUI, which did not appear to be a factor.
The driver of the Mercedes Sprinter Van succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The drivers name of the Mercedes is being withheld, pending next of kin notification by the Mendocino County Coroner. This incident remains under investigation by the Garberville CHP office.