News Briefs: Slick Rock wreck, Micheal Wright autopsy, South Fork spot fire extinguished

Two injured but lucky to be alive 

On Tuesday, July 21, at 4 p.m. three Visalia visitors had a scary brush with death. As the driver, Brianna Ramirez, was driving westbound in her 2007 Hyundai Elantra, just west of Slick Rock on Highway 198, she suddenly exited the roadway. News Briefs:

Traveling at a high rate of speed, the car struck the high curb on the outside of the shoulder and became airborne. The investigating CHP officer reported that once airborne, the vehicle flipped in the air coming to rest over the side some 100 feet below the edge of the cliff. The thick vegetation and a cluster of trees undoubtedly cushioned the impact.

Ramirez, 28, was uninjured in the crash. Two male passengers suffered a broken arm and multiple lacerations respectively. Both injured passsengers, after being extricated from the upside down vehicle, were transported via ambulance to Kaweah Delta Medical Center in Visalia. 

The cause of the accident is still under investigation. The CHP report stated that DUI was not a factor in the crash. News Briefs: Slick Rock wreck

Update on Micheal Wright fatality

The Tulare County Coroner’s office is awaiting toxicology results to determine the cause of death in the fatal accident that occurred on a private road at 47777 South Fork Drive. The fatality of Micheal Wright, 75, is believed to have occurred sometime between Wednesday, July 8, and Monday, July 13. The autopsy was complicated by the rapid decomposition of the body that occurred in triple-digit temperatures. Toxicology results typically take 6-8 weeks.News Briefs: Slick Rock wreck

South Fork fire extinguished

Firfighters quickly extinguished a spot fire that started at 48008 South Fork at 2:54 p.m. on Saturday, July 18. Fortunately, there was very little wind so the blaze burning in grass and brush spready slowly. A rapid response by CALFIRE units contained the blaze within an area of 20′ by 20′. 

Aerial response and Tulare County fire units were also summoned to the scene but were cancelled while en route. The cause of the blaze was determined to be a minor vehicle accident. Major California fires are currently burning near Redding and upslope from Susanville. 

Brush conditions and fuel moisture levels are extreme typically during mid-summer. Charlie Norman, Tulare County Fire Chief, said in conditions like these it is critical to remain vigilant, avoid parking vehicles near brush and be especially careful when operating power tools.