Firefighters from the Idyllwild Fire Protection District (IFPD) try to comfort Theresa Marie Larkin and her dog who were involved in a solo vehicle traffic collision at Highway 243 and Jameson Drive May 2 before being transported by IFPD to a nearby hospital. Photos by Jenny Kirchner

There was one collision on Highway 243 last week, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP) Public Information Officer Matt Napier. 

On May 2 at 2:55 p.m., Theresa Marie Larkin, 64 of Idyllwild, and her passenger William Larkin, 93 of Idyllwild, were traveling northbound on Highway 243 near Jameson Drive in a white 2020 Mercedes Benz GLA 250. 

According to the CHP report, Larkin was traveling greater than 20 mph and due to her unsafe speed was unable to maintain control and drifted to the right-hand side of the road, causing her to lose control and collide with a large boulder. 

Both occupants were transported to Desert Reginal Medical Center. Theresa suffered minor injuries and was transported by Idyllwild Fire Protection District ambulance. William suffered major injuries and was transported by Mercy Air. 

Idyllwild Garage towed the vehicle.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Murawski, at 5:45 p.m. Monday, Kennith Caruso, 59 of Hemet, was driving his 2014 Harley Davidson southbound on Highway 243 near Saunders Meadow Road when, for unknown reasons, he drifted into oncoming lanes and collided head on with Brenda Quenzler, of Idyllwild, who was driving her 2016 Nissan Frontier. Caruso was airlifted by Mercy Air to Desert Regional Medical Center complaining of hip pain. Quenzler and her passenger were uninjured. Both vehicles were towed by Idyllwild Garage. Photo by Jenny Kirchner