Mill Valley Teen Killed in Crash

By Bay City News Service:

A teenage girl who died in a two-vehicle crash near Grass Valley on Saturday has been identified by the Nevada County coroner’s office as Emily Brightwood, 17, of Mill Valley.

California Highway Patrol officials in Grass Valley said Brightwood was driving south on state Highway 49 when she lost control of her 1997 Subaru Impreza around 7:15 p.m. Saturday.

The car veered to the left and into the northbound traffic lane, rotated clockwise and was struck on the passenger side by a 2013 Lincoln MKZ, according to the CHP. Brightwood was the only one in the Subaru.

Anderson Whitney, 51, of Grass Valley, the driver of the Lincoln, and a 15-year-old passenger were not injured, CHP officials said.

Brightwood was pronounced dead at the scene.

CHP spokesman Gregory Tassone said there is no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved and the CHP is investigating whether distracted driving may have caused the crash.

Nevada County sheriff’s spokeswoman Donna Nelson said Brightwood had connections in the Grass Valley area.

(Image via Shutterstock)