High-speed Two-vehicle Collision in June Lake

A high-speed two-vehicle collision in June Lake left at least ten occupants seriously injured on Friday afternoon, Aug. 2, around 12 p.m.

The incident occurred in the southbound lane of US 395 where it intersects with SR 158, otherwise known as the June Lake Loop. Involved in the crash were a Ford Expedition SUV and a Ford F-150 pickup, resulting in several people becoming trapped inside the pickup. A witness described the incident to CHP officials as a “very high-speed traffic collision.” Community members purporting to be eyewitnesses noted online that several of those who were involved in the accident are Mammoth High School students.

Said community member Carmelita MacPherson-Haltom, “We know the five boys are doing well. Lots/long healing for a couple of them. Prayers for the unknown other parties injured.”

Paramedics from Mammoth Hospital assisted the injured on the scene. The Hospital activated its Hospital Incident Command Team, a protocol reserved for what they term “Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI).” The term ‘casualties,’ it should be noted, refers in this context to both injuries and fatalities. According to Hospital staff, there were ample resources to care for the patients who were transported there. Mammoth Hospital called an all-clear on the MCI at 1:30 p.m.

Said eyewitness Barbara Coleman Richter, “Between the amount of ambulances that came into the hospital, the helicopter that brought another one or two in, and CareFlight that may have brought another one or two in, it may have been around ten patients.”

Traffic was closed after the collision in both directions on US 395, but was reopened later that afternoon. At time of this writing, investigators were still working to determine fault for the accident.

Eastern Sierra Now will update this post as more information is made available.

Kevin McCormick