Deadly days in Yuba-Sutter as crashes pile up
Six Yuba-Sutter residents have died in vehicle wrecks during the last 10 days — including four last week — marking one of the deadliest two-week periods on local roads in recent memory.
"Overall, it had been a pretty good year before this week," said Sgt. Michael McCarthy of the California Highway Patrol.
The most recent victim, Nathan Timothy Mickle, 44, of Marysville, was killed Friday, south of Linda.
Alcohol may have been a factor, the CHP said.
Mickle was pronounced dead at the scene on Feather River Boulevard, just north of Plumas Arboga Road.
His body was found around 9:45 p.m. in a vehicle that had overturned in a ditch, the CHP said.
He was driving south in his green 2002 Ford Escort coupe when he made a dangerous "turning movement" and lost control of the car, the CHP said in a press release.
The vehicle spun across the northbound lane and onto the east shoulder, where it flipped and slid into the 10-foot ditch, landing upside down in about 4 feet of cold, brown water. A 50-yard-long skid mark was visible on the roadway.
Another motorist discovered the upturned vehicle and called authorities.
Linda firefighters pulled Mickle's body from the car.
Officers are seeking the public's help investigating the crash that claimed Mickle's life. Anyone with information is asked to call the CHP at 674-5141. It was the fourth fatal crash in six days.
Rudy Sbin, 19, of Wheatland, was killed Wednesday night when he was ejected from a 1995 Honda on Highway 65.
Alcohol was not a factor, the CHP said.
The driver, Richie C. Poth, suffered major injuries and was taken to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. The 20-year-old Wheatland man was listed in fair condition Saturday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Derek May sustained moderate injuries and was taken to Rideout Regional Medical Center. A Rideout nursing supervisor declined to provide an update on the 22-year-old Wheatland man's condition.
Antonio Jimenez was killed Nov. 18 when he was struck by a Dodge pickup while walking on Gray Avenue. The 78-year-old Yuba City man was also pronounced dead at the scene. Yuba City police have not said if alcohol was involved.
Kayla Lizama-Pierson died Nov. 17 after the vehicle she was in smashed into a tree on Garden Highway. The Yuba City teen celebrated her 18th birthday just a few hours before the crash.
Yuba City's Adrian Romero, 74, was killed Nov. 15 after his red 1991 Honda Accord overturned into a ditch near Moroni Road, east of Meridian.
Neither drugs nor alcohol were factors in those wrecks, the CHP said.
Gabriel Rodriguez, 53, of Live Oak, also died Nov. 15 after a head-on collision with an apparent drunken driver in Placer County. A Lincoln resident was arrested in connection with Rodriguez's death, the CHP said.
CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.
