Two hit and run incidents took place on Hill roads last week. Both reports come from California Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Darren Meyer’s reading of the narrative from the responding CHP officer.
One involved suspected driving under the influence and then fleeing the scene after causing injury to another motorist.
It occurred at 11:20 p.m. Friday, March 31, on Highway 243 a half-mile north of Franklin Drive. Pamela Allen, 64, of Idyllwild, was driving her white 2008 Buick Enclave north on 243. At the same time, Julia Romero, 17, also of Idyllwild, was approaching in the southbound lane in her 2012 Hyundai Elantra.
According to the CHP report, Allen, while trying to negotiate a right-hand curve, drifted across the double-yellow line into the opposing lane of traffic and crashed head-on into Romero’s vehicle.
According to a witness, Allen got out of her vehicle and began leaving the scene of the collision on foot, walking along the shoulder of the highway in a northbound direction. Romero remained on the scene unable to leave because of the extent of her injuries. According to the CHP report, Romero had suffered two broken legs, broken ribs and a punctured lung in the collision.
Allen was found by a CHP officer about a half-mile north of the collision at the intersection with Alpine Way in Pine Cove and returned to the scene. According to the report, “Based on best physical evidence, Allen was found to be the driver at the time of the crash. She failed a field sobriety test and was arrested. Allen was then transported to San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning and treated for lacerations to an eye and back pain.”
Allen was booked and incarcerated on three felony charges — driving under the influence with blood alcohol over the legal limit of 0.08 milligram percent causing bodily injury to another, and hit and run from an incident with injuries. Bail was set at $75,000 and Allen was able to post bail and be released. Romero was airlifted by Mercy Air to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.
A hearing in the case has been set for May 17.
Another incident occurred earlier in the day at 12:40 p.m. Friday March 31. Stephen Schaefer, 64, of Fresno was driving his red 2017 Tesla eastbound on Highway 74 near mile marker 82, near the juncture with Carrizo Road. At the same time, a tan Ford 150 truck tried to pass Schaefer’s vehicle, cut back in too soon and sideswiped Schaefer’s car, causing moderate damage, according to the report. The Ford continued on without stopping. The vehicle, according to plate ID, is registered in Palm Desert.
Schaefer was not injured.
She was trying to negotiate a curve and drifted over the double yellow lines, hmmmm…
It sounds like she preferred to crash as opposed to losing the game of “chicken”.
Drunk driving at 64 you think she would know better…. but money and clout …. she will proablity get away with it