Johnstonville, CA — A tragic multi-vehicle accident on Tuesday morning, January 14, 2025, resulted in the death of a 47-year-old woman from Susanville and left her 10-year-old passenger in critical condition.
This collision, allegedly instigated by a driver under the influence, involved five vehicles and led to the arrest of 49-year-old William Dougherty from Sacramento. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) indicated that the incident took place around 7:45 AM at the intersection of Highway 36 and Highway 395.
Initial investigations revealed that Dougherty was driving a 1998 Ford van eastward on Highway 36 when he encountered several vehicles stopped at a traffic light that had just turned green. Dougherty failed to stop in time and collided with the rear of a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, which carried two passengers.
The force of this impact propelled the Chevrolet into a big rig driven by a Florida resident, triggering a chain reaction that also involved a Jeep Wrangler and another vehicle. Sadly, the driver of the Chevrolet was pronounced dead at the scene, and the 10-year-old girl riding with her sustained severe injuries. Emergency responders airlifted the child to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno for urgent treatment.