Darrin Rasmussen Hospitalized after Bluff Pedestrian Crash on Luther Road near Airport Boulevard
Red Bluff, California (September 16, 2021) – Darrin Rasmussen, 51, of Red Bluff, was injured after being involved in a deadly pedestrian collision in Red Bluff on Wednesday morning, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The crash happened at about 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, September 15, on Luther Road near Airport Boulevard.
According to the CHP, Brandon Lyle Lloyd Spharler, 37, of Red Bluff, was driving a Chevy Silverado on Luther Road when he hit two pedestrians in the area.
Deadly Pedestrian Crash on Luther Road in Red Bluff
One of the pedestrians, only identified as a 41-year-old Red Bluff man, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was being withheld pending notification of family.
The second pedestrian, now identified as Rasmussen, was rushed to Mercy Medical Center in unknown condition.
Spharler remained at the scene of the accident and cooperated with the authorities. Authorities determined that Spharler was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident.
Spharler was eventually arrested and booked at Tehama County Jail on suspicion of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. His bail was set at $150,000.
An investigation into the accident is ongoing.
Notable Pedestrian Accident Statistics According to the California Office of Traffic Safety:
- 893 pedestrians were killed, and more than 14,000 were injured on California roadways in 2018.
- California's pedestrian fatality is almost 25% higher than the national average.
- California is among the leading states in pedestrian deaths.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians
- Make yourself visible to other road users by wearing bright colored clothes, reflector jackets, or using a flashlight when walking at night.
- Avoid distractions such as using your phone while on the streets.
- Cross streets on marked crosswalks and obey traffic lights.
- Always pay attention to your surroundings.
- Be predictable by observing all traffic rules and obeying signs and signals.
Safety Tips for Drivers
- Look out for pedestrians, particularly in hard-to-see conditions, for example, at night and in bad weather.
- Yield and be ready to stop whenever a pedestrian has the right-of-way.
- Be cautious when parking or backing up – pedestrians can move across your path.
- Observe all traffic rules.