The California Highway Patrol reports that a recent collision on State Route 70 near C Road involved the death of a pedestrian.
On Oct. 8, at approximately 7:15 p.m., Jorge Sendejos Jr., of Reno, was walking eastbound in the center of the eastbound No. 1 lane of State Route 70, west of C Road, in an unincorporated area of Plumas County. Sendejos was wearing a black sweatshirt and jeans, in an unlit area, prior to moonrise.
Juan Martinez-Barrios, also of Reno, was driving his Subaru in the eastbound No. 1 lane of Highway 70, at a stated speed of 45 mph. The CHP reports that due to the time of day, Sendejos’ dark clothing and Sendejos unexpectedly walking in the center of the traffic lane, Martinez-Barrios did not see Sendejos in the darkness and was unable to avoid Sendejos. The front of the Subaru hit Sendejos, and he was sent over the roof of the Subaru.
Martinez-Barrios immediately stopped the Subaru, not knowing what had happened or what he had collided with. Martinez-Barrios and his passenger, Gabriel Padilla-Leon, also of Reno, hastily exited the Subaru and neglected to place the vehicle in park. Due to the slope of the roadway, the Subaru rolled backwards and came to rest on top of Sendejos, said the CHP.
Sendejos suffered fatal injuries as a result of the impact and was declared deceased at the scene. Martinez-Barrios and Padilla-Leon were evaluated at the scene for complaints of pain but refused transport by medical personnel.
This incident is still under investigation by the Quincy Area Office of the California Highway Patrol and the Plumas County District Attorney’s Office.
