Passenger killed in single-vehicle crash near Atascadero
– A 42-year-old woman died Tuesday after a solo-vehicle crash on State Route 41 south of Rocky Canyon Road, just outside the Atascadero city limits, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The agency said officers responded to the crash around 10:08 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The agency determined a 42-year-old Ceres resident, Jenny Ritter, was driving a black 2003 Mercedes ML500 south on State Route 41, south of Rocky Canyon Road, at an unknown speed. For unknown reasons, Ritter allowed the Mercedes to leave the southbound lane, cross the roadway, and travel down a dirt and grass embankment before it struck a concrete drainage wall, the agency said.
First responders extricated Ritter and her passenger from the Mercedes and transported them to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center for treatment, according to the agency. The 42-year-old female passenger died at the hospital as a result of the crash. The identity of the deceased passenger is still pending notification to next of kin.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to have been factors in the crash, the agency said. The crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol’s Templeton Area office.
