Redding pedestrian, 61, critically injured after hit by pickup

REDDING — A 61-year-old Redding man is in critical condition after he was struck by a pickup truck while attempting to cross the road, early Tuesday evening, Dec. 4. The major-injury accident happened near the intersection of South and California streets, according to Redding PD.

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City of Redding Police and Fire Departments, along with other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the intersection shortly after 5:30 p.m., after receiving reports of a collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian.

When officials arrived at the scene they found the pedestrian, later identified as Michael Deffebach, lying in the roadway on South St. west of California St., Redding Police Officer Snyder explained after the collision. The victim had sustained major traumatic injuries and required immediate medical intervention.

A Toyota Tacoma and its 62-year-old driver, Kathryn Houser, of Igo, was nearby and the woman was reportedly cooperative with officers investigating the accident.

Deffebach was rushed to Mercy Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and as of this report was listed in critical condition.

During their investigation, officers interviewed witnesses to the crash and determined Houser was “traveling westbound on South Street at speeds below the posted limit,” according to Snyder.

“Deffebach, who was wearing dark clothing, appears to have attempted to cross the roadway in front of the Toyota,” Snyder explained.  “Ms. Houser, who was wearing a seat belt, was unable to stop before striking Mr. Deffebach.”

Snyder did not specify if Deffebach was in or near a marked crosswalk when he was struck by Houser’s pickup, and Redding PD’s investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this investigation or who witnessed the collision and has not yet provided a statement is encouraged to contact Redding Police Officer Snyder at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number  18R086225 and can remain anonymous.

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.