San Andreas, CA…On May 28, 2022, CHP dispatchers began receiving calls of a traffic collision with vehicles on fire on SR-49, south of Gold Strike Rd at 5:12 pm. Preliminary investigation shows that a now deceased driver was traveling southbound on SR-49 in a Ford at a high rate of speed.

Rodney L. Patrick was traveling northbound at 55 miles per hour in his Dodge Ram. For an unknown reason the driver of the Ford allowed the vehicle to cross into the northbound lane. The driver turned the Ford Expedition to the right and lost control of the vehicle.

Mr. Patrick observed the Ford in his traffic lane and he swerved to the left in an attempt to avoid the oncoming vehicle. He was unable to avoid the out of control Expedition and the vehicles impacted.

The impact was so severe that the Ford immediately caught fire, causing fatal injuries to the driver. Mr. Patrick was trapped in the drivers seat of the Ram due to the major front-end damage that it sustained, trapping his lower extremities.

Due to the fire engulfing the Ford, The Dodge Ram also began to burn. Multiple citizens that had either witnessed the collision or stopped shortly after began attempts to remove the trapped party. San Andreas CHP Officer Butzler arrived approximately 7 minutes after the collision.

Despite the intense heat from the fire and severe damage that the Ram sustained, Officer Butzler and the citizens were able to free Mr. Patrick as the passenger compartment became engulfed in flames. He was provided life saving medical care until other Emergency personnel arrived. Mr. Patrick was flown from the scene for treatment of major injuries.

It is unknown at this time if drugs and/or alcohol contributed to this collision.

If anyone witnessed this collision or has information to provide concerning the actions of Party #1 prior to the collision please contact the San Andreas CHP office at (209) 754-3541 during business hours.

The CHP would like to thank the citizens that risked harm to assist the involved parties in this collision. Their actions likely saved Mr. Patrick’s life.