MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A Clearlake woman was the victim of a Thursday collision at an intersection near Middletown where Caltrans said safety improvements are planned.

Samira Sickels, 69, of Clearlake died at the scene of the crash, which occurred at Highway 29 and Hartmann Road, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Kory Reynolds.

Just after 3 p.m. Thursday Sickels, driving a 2000 Ford Mustang, was stopped at the intersection and attempting to make a left turn onto southbound Highway 29, Reynolds said.

According to Reynolds, for unknown reasons Sickels reportedly made her left turn directly in front of a 2008 Kenworth 3 axle truck and trailer, driven by Anthony Zalunardo, 50, of Sacramento.

Sickels' Mustang was struck by the big rig on the driver's side, Reynolds said.

Reynolds said Sickels was pronounced dead at the scene while her passenger, 75-year-old Emma Proctor of Clearlake, suffered major injuries and was transported by REACH to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Zalunardo was not injured in the collision.

Traffic on Highway 29 had to be diverted for approximately one hour, said Reynolds, adding that alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision.

Officer Steve Patrick is investigating the crash, Reynolds said.

After a previous fatal crash at that intersection, Caltrans conducted an investigation, as it does after every fatal collision on a state highway, according to Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie.

Caltrans' investigation recommended installing flashing beacon lights on Highway 29 which will be activated by vehicles waiting on Hartmann Road, he said.

The contract was awarded to GBA Engineering of Fullerton, but the project had been waiting for materials which just arrived, said Frisbie.

The construction contract is for about $174,000; Frisbie said the actual construction cost is about $200,000, with Caltrans supplying all the electrical components.

The project, the total cost for which is about $290,000, includes project planning and design, the bidding process, construction and oversight during construction, according to Frisbie.

He said the project is scheduled to begin next week and will be completed by the end of July.

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