Head-on Collision Kills One on Thanksgiving Night at Caspar Creek Bridge

News of the day on the Coast is the tragic death of 25-year-old Joe Garcia, who died in a head-on crash on the Caspar Creek Bridge on Thanksgiving night. He was the passenger, his driver, a 44-year-old woman, may have been under the influence when she lost control of the car.  The head-on was one of the worst emergency responders had ever seen but both drivers survived. The CHP says that Sarah Rowe, 44, may have been impaired when her 2007 Infiniti crossed the double yellow line on the bridge and crashed into a van going south. Joe Garcia was riding with Rowe. The van was driven by Kathryn Whipple, 76, of Alameda.

As is often the case, Matt Lafever and MendoFever had this news first and did work for it this time. It was also in the AVA. Someone criticized the red writing on Matt’s website as inappropriate, which I think was not a fair remark.

MendoFever Story

I called after hearing about it  and tried to get the police report, but the CHP insisted on putting out a press release instead, which came out a few hours ago. Because of not getting the actual report as we used to in the past, I can’t tell if Sarah Rowe is the same Sarah Rowe who is well known local resort manager and photographer. In the days when journalism was still important to society, the police would always send a report if we asked.

Joe’s mother is doing a GoFundMe to contribute to the heartbreakingly unexpected burial expenses. I can send that to anyone interested to give. It’s also on my Facebook timeline.

=Joe’s fundraiser

After the crash, the road was closed for 5 hours and the forests were full of people trying to go around on back roads. As always, nobody tried to set up a legit detour. The bridge was closed from the time of the crash about 10 p.m until the next morning with traffic finally allowed to pass about 2 a.m, but backups and closures happening all night.

Today’s issue-

Nobody from the county roads department seems to get involved in detours on county roads, which Caltrans says it can’t recommend, not knowing their condition. This is also a big issue with the Caltrans closure of the Jack Peters Creek Bridge project, which has now been rescheduled a few times. The current overnight closure is for next Wednesday, and we will find out if Tuesday or Thursday will be additionally added on.

Caltrans has provided no detours after using state roads the last time at Pudding Creek and getting flak for the suggestion that people who wanted to go across that bridge go back up the Leggett Highway and down 101 and back over 20. 

This time, no detour. 

I contacted Supervisor Ted Williams but have yet to receive an answer. Left a message with the county road crew person I was told was in charge of this. The detours through the Caspar Forest up Little Lake are known to locals but are these roads okay to drive on this winter?  And what will non-local travelers do?  Will the county mark the detours?  Is it a secret?  I’m glad I don’t have an overnight cleaning or hospital job that requires me to drive that night and have to wait until I go to find out what is happening since nobody will say ahead of time. And why not?  Stay tuned for an update on Monday.

California Highway Patrol’s Report:

On November 28, 2024, at approximately 9:55 p.m., Party No. 1, Sarah Rowe (female, age 44, city of residence Mendocino, California) was driving a 2007 Infiniti sedan northbound on SR-1, north of Point Cabrillo Road, on the Casper Bridge at an unknown speed with Passenger No. 1. (male, age 25, city of residence Mendocino, California).

Party No. 3, Katherine Whipple (female, age 76, city of residence Alameda, California), was driving a 2023 GMC van southbound on SR-1 at approximately 50 mph and approaching Party No. 1.

Party No. 1 lost control of their vehicle, causing the vehicle to cross into the opposing southbound lane and crash into the GMC van. The passenger of the Infiniti, a 25-year-old male from Mendocino, California, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Infiniti, Sarah Rowe, a 44-year-old female from Mendocino, California, was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and is in critical condition.

The driver of the GMC, Katherine Whipple, a 76-year-old female from Alameda, California, was transported to the local hospital for minor injuries.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) report, Whipple and Rowe were properly restrained by seat belts. The deceased male occupant was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.

The impairment of Party No. 1 is not known at this time but is suspected. The Department of California Highway Patrol is investigating this crash.

The name of the fatal victim is being withheld until family notifications are made.