CHP probe into New Year’s Eve accident ongoing

Information wanted on driver who fled scene

The California Highway Patrol is seeking information regarding a driver who fled the scene of accident on Whitney Portal Road that caused serious injuries to one individual and remains unidentified since the New Year’s Eve crash, according to CHP report released Friday.

The report states that an unidentified man was driving a pickup eastbound on Whitney Portal Road in the eastbound lane, just west of the Horseshoe Meadows Road at a high rate of speed, approaching another vehicle from the rear.

A man, who was not identified in the report, was driving a 2020 Acura eastbound on Whitney Portal Road in the eastbound lane, just west of the Horseshoe Meadows Road, preparing for a left turn, ahead of the approaching pickup.

The pickup crossed over the double yellow lines on the roadway, according to the report, and sideswiped the left front of the Acura as it was turning left across the westbound lane.

The collision caused serious injury to the driver of the Acura.

The unidentified driver reportedly stopped before fleeing from the scene.

The vehicle was described as a late 1990s or early 2000s Americanmade pick-up truck, white or light gray in color. The vehicle was last seen to have moderate to extensive right front fender damage. A search of the area failed to locate the vehicle.

The driver of the Acura, who had two passengers in the vehicle who were not injured, transported himself to Southern Inyo Hospital for treatment of his injuries. The report listed his injuries as “major.”

A vehicle matching the description of the pickup was sighted on Shahar Avenue in the Alabama Hills community shortly after the reported time of the collision.

The California Highway Patrol is requesting that any member of the community with information regarding this collision contact the Bishop CHP office at (760) 872-5900. This collision is still under investigation by the CHP.