California Highway Patrol:

REPORT OF COLLISION: On 1-21-12 Joy Lee Halsell, 38, of Lake Isabella was travelling eastbound on Hwy. 155 just east of Wofford Heights in the heavy rain. Halsell entered a left hand curve in the roadway at a speed too great to be safely negotiated due to the weather conditions. As a result, Halsell lost control of her vehicle and slid off the roadway onto the north dirt shoulder, striking the mountain wall. Halsell’s vehicle continued back across the roadway and onto the south dirt shoulder striking the opposite mounatin wall. Halsell’s vehicle came to rest within the westbound lane of Hwy. 155. She was transported to Kern Valley Hospital with moderate injuries.

REPORT OF COLLISION: On 1-19-12 Jacquelyn Wertz, 50 of Kernville, was driving her 1998 Ford on Mtn. 99 northbound, south of Brush Creek at approximately 40 MPH. The roadway curved to the right. Wertz failed to negoitiate the curve in the road. Wertz crossed the southbound lane of traffic and traveled across the dirt shoulder on the west side of the road. The Ford continued and traveled off the steep dirt, brush and rock embankment. The Ford rolled over and came to rest on its wheels, facing a westerly direction in the Kern River water west of the road and south of Brush Creek. Wertz exited the Ford on her own and was located on the rocks at the edge of the Kern River where she was treated for major injuries by emergency personnel. Wertz was carried to the road where she was transported by Liberty ambulance to an awaiting helicopter where she was air lifted to Kern Medical Center for treatment. Kern County Fire Department:

CANYON CLOSURE: On Saturday, Jan. 21, at approximately 2:50 p.m., a call was received by the Kern County Fire Department for a hazardous materials leak on eastbound Hwy. 178 approximately one-half mile West of the Democrat station. Approximately 13 firefighters responded to the incident including Kern County Fire Department’s Haz Mat unit.

Upon arrival, fire crews were faced with a leak coming from the rear trailer of a propane tanker. The tanker was located in a safe turn-out. Quick efforts by fire personnel to isolate the hazard and deny entry prevented any exposures. Crews remained on scene for four to six hours as the propane vents itself from the leaking trailer.