COLUSA, CA (MPG) – On Sept. 11, Highway 20 between Williams and Colusa remained closed for much of the day after a head-on collision killed a Lake County public works director and sent a semi-truck driver to the hospital.
According to the California Highway Patrol, at about 8 a.m. just east of Lone Star Road outside Colusa, Lars Ewing, 49, of Lakeport, was driving a 1995 Honda west on Highway 20 when, for unknown reasons, his vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane and collided with a 2024 International semi-truck driven by a 42-year-old Yuba City man. Ewing died at the scene.
The impact sparked fires in both vehicles. First responders arrived to find Ewing’s car fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters brought the fire under control by about 8:30 a.m. and remained at the scene for cleanup.
The semi driver was taken to a hospital following the crash. CHP did not provide details about his condition but reported both drivers were wearing seat belts.
The crash also spilled about 120 gallons of diesel into a canal near the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, prompting a response from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response.
According to OSPR, heavy vegetation in the 2047 Canal limited the spread of the fuel.
Crews placed containment measures in the canal and hired a contractor for cleanup and recovery.
OSPR reported no oiled wildlife had been observed and said its field response team would continue monitoring the area.
The highway reopened later Friday afternoon.
Lake County News reported Ewing had recently been appointed to lead Lake County’s consolidated Public Works Department. He submitted his resignation Thursday, one day before the crash.
CHP continues to investigate the collision.