PREVIOUSLY:

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Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

Party #1 (John Doe, 72, of Trinidad) was driving Vehicle #1 (Ford Ranger) westbound on SR-299, east of Cemetery Road, at approximately 55 mph. Party #2 (Aaron Angeli, 39, of Redding) was driving Vehicle #2 (Club Wagon) eastbound on SR-299, east of Cemetery Road, at approximately 55 mph.

For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the Ford Ranger veered over the double yellow lines and entered the eastbound lane directly into the path of the Club Wagon. The vehicles collided head-on in the eastbound lane. Angeli, who suffered major injury, exited his vehicle and extricated the unconscious Party #1 from his vehicle. The Ford Ranger then caught on fire and became fully engulfed seconds after both parties were clear of the vehicle. Party #1 succumbed to his injuries on scene.

This collision is under investigation and it is unknown at this time if alcohol and or drugs were a factor. The identity of Party #1 is withheld pending notification of next of kin.