Rafael Esquivel Injured in Deadly Mendocino County Crash on State Route 20 near Potter Valley Road
Mendocino County, California (March 30, 2022) – Rafael Esquivel, 60, of Ukiah was seriously hurt in a deadly crash near Buffalo Ranch in Mendocino County Monday evening, the California Highway Patrol said.
The incident took place on State Route 20, east of Potter Valley Road at around 5:28 p.m. March 28.
According to CHP, Esquivel was driving a blue 2003 Mini Cooper east on Highway 20 when he lost control on the standing water and swerved into the westbound side, where he collided with a 2018 Toyota Tacoma operated by 66-year-old Oregon man Michael Schmuckley.
The Mini Cooper then spun out of control and collided with a 2019 Ford Explorer driven by Kurt Jensen, 49, of Clearlake.
Rafael Esquivel Injured in Fatal Crash in Mendocino County
Esquivel sustained major injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
A passenger in the Mini Cooper, Cleotide Rodriguez Delgado, 49, of Ukiah, was also hospitalized with major injuries but later died of her injuries.
Jensen sustained moderate injuries.
The driver of the Schmuckley was not hurt.
Authorities said alcohol and drugs were not believed to be factors in the incident.
The cause of the wreck is under investigation.