Elderly driver killed in Redding crash

February 12, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

REDDING — Authorities are investigating the cause of a Redding traffic collision that left one woman dead and another driver with minor injuries Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 11. The deadly collision, which happened when one of the two drivers attempted to pull out of a private driveway, happened near the intersection of Eureka Way and Whiskeytown Ct.

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Redding Police officers were dispatched to the scene of the crash about 2:16 p.m., after receiving reports of a major injury traffic collision, Redding Police Officer Teddy Snyder later reported.

When officials arrived they found a white, 2017 Buick with major driver’s-side damage and a white, 2017 Volkswagen with major front-end damage. Vehicle parts and debris were strewn across the roadway and several witnesses and good Samaritans were trying to provide aid and comfort to the two drivers.

“The driver of the Buick, an 85-year-old female, was transported to Mercy Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased,” explained Snyder; who said the victim’s name was not immediately available pending further investigation and notification of the woman’s family.

The other driver, Chelsea Kefalas, 26, of Redding,complained of pain but declined to be transported to an area hospital for further evaluation and treatment, according to the officer.

During their subsequent investigation, officers interviewed several witnesses and collected evidence at the scene. Based on their findings, officers determined the driver of the Buick caused the collision when she exited a private driveway on the north side of Eureka Way near Whiskeytown Ct. and attempted to make a left-hand turn onto eastbound Eureka Way.

“Kefalas, who was traveling westbound on Eureka Way, was unable to avoid the collision and struck the driver side area of the Buick, causing major damage,” explained Snyder.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts, according to Snyder; who reported that neither driver was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Redding PD’s investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Redding PD at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 20R009833 and can remain anonymous.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; 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 29 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 16 grandchildren.