Crash Wednesday Near Hicks Valley Results in Multiple Injuries

NOVATO, CA — A crash involving two vehicles Wednesday morning on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road near Hicks Valley left four people injured, two with major injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol and the Marin County Fire Department.

Marin County Fire Spokesman Bret McTigue said he just happened to be the first emergency personnel on scene because had just left the Hicks Valley Fire Station. He was traveling toward Nicasio when he came upon the crash site just west of Novato Boulevard, about a mile from the fire station, he said.

McTigue saw that some witnesses had already stopped to help, and he called for assistance immediately.

"We did have a number of good Samaritans who assisted in helping the patients to a safe area," McTigue told Patch. "We had a full response from Hicks Valley there within minutes ... One of the vehicles was on fire at one point and was extinguished quickly."

According to CHP Marin Area Spokesman Andrew Barclay, the collision occurred just before 9 a.m. as 44-year-old Patrick Hyndman of San Rafael was driving his blue 1995 Toyota Corolla westbound on PRPR, negotiating a series of curves in the roadway when the right tire of his vehicle left the roadway, causing him to lose control of the Corolla.

"The Toyota turned hard to the left and into the oncoming lane of traffic where 52-year-old Bonnie Guttman of Inverness was driving her red 1998 Toyota Celica convertible directly toward the errant vehicle," Barclay said, in an email to Patch. "The front of the Celica broadsided the right side of the errant Corolla causing major damage to both vehicles. Both vehicles came to rest blocking the roadway."

The crash left both of Hyndman's passengers, 43-year-old Aaron Griffith of Novato, who was sitting in the right front seat, and 24-year-old Shannah Griffith, of Novato, who was sitting in the right back seat, trapped inside the Corolla.

According to McTigue, Marin County Fire personnel were forced to remove the roof of the car and then utilize the "Jaws of Life" to free the two passengers.

Aaron Griffith, who suffered major injuries, was taken by ground ambulance to the Hicks Valley Fire Station, then airlifted by REACH to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital's trauma center, McTigue said.

Shannah Griffith also suffered major injuries and was transported to a local hospital via ground ambulance.

The crash left Guttman with moderate injuries and she was also taken by ambulance to a hospital, as was Hyndman, who suffered minor injuries.

The roadway was closed for about an hour and 15 minutes for extrication, treatment of the involved parties, investigation of the collision and towing of the vehicles.

"We did have to call in an additional ambulance and an additional rescue crew from Woodacre, so we had personnel from Point Reyes, Hicks Valley and Woodacre," McTigue said.

One-way traffic control was opened up at approximately 10:15 a.m. and remained in place until the scene was cleared at approximately 10:45 a.m., according to Barclay.

Images via Marin County Fire Department