MENDOCINO COUNTY – A late Monday afternoon car collision along Highway 20 claimed a Ukiah woman's life.

The California Highway Patrol's Ukiah office reported that the three-car collision took place at 3:15 p.m. Monday just east of the buffalo ranch between Blue Lakes and Ukiah.

The CHP did not release the names of any of the three drivers involved.

The report explained that a 57-year-old Sacramento man, driving a 1996 Chevy pickup, was traveling eastbound on Highway 20. Heading westbound at the same time was a 2007 Mercury SUV driven by a 59-year-old Ukiah woman, followed by a 2004 Dodge Neon driven by a 23-year-old Upper Lake man.

The Sacramento man's pickup traveled into the westbound lane, colliding head-on with the Mercury SUV, according to the CHP.

The Upper Lake man was able to brake and turn his vehicle to the left to avoid colliding with the pickup, but was still struck by debris from the collision, the CHP reported.

The CHP's original log entries reported that one of the vehicles caught on fire following the collision.

Rescue personnel were sent both by ambulance and by helicopter, according to the CHP. Animal Control was summoned for a dog riding in one of the vehicles.

CHP reported that officers found the Ukiah woman dead at the scene.

The Sacramento man was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment of major injuries, according to CHP.

The Upper Lake driver was uninjured, the CHP added.

According to CHP, all three drivers were using their seat belts.

Traffic didn't start to move until after 5 p.m., according to witness reports. CHP didn't report the roadway completely clear for another hour after that.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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