Wheatland teen dies in Yuba County crash

A Wheatland teen was killed and two other Wheatland men were injured in a one-car accident on Highway 70 near Olivehurst, the California Highway Patrol said Thursday.

Richie Poth, 20, was driving a white Honda Civic south on Highway 65 at 8:35 p.m. on Wednesday just south of the split with Highway 70.

For unknown reasons, Poth's vehicle drifted off the east edge of Highway 65 and hit a metal guardrail, the CHP said.

The vehicle continued down an embankment and went airborne before overturning on its roof on northbound Highway 70.

The Honda continued to slide across Highway 70, eventually stopping on the right shoulder, the CHP said.

A passenger, Rudy Sbin, 19, was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the CHP.

A second passenger, Derek May, 22, suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Rideout Regional Medical Center.

Poth sustained major injuries and was taken by air ambulance to Sutter Roseville Hospital, the CHP said. Condition reports were not available on Thursday.

"We'll be inspecting to see if there was a mechanical failure," said CHP Sgt. Ian Troxell.

Poth and May were wearing seat belts, the CHP said. Sbin was not.

Northbound Highway 70 was closed for about an hour. The CHP reopened one lane to traffic at about 9:30 p.m.

Among the responding agencies were Linda Fire Department, Yuba County Sheriff's Department, Olivehurst Fire, CHP and Bi-County Ambulance.

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