UPDATE: Woman, 46, ID’d after fatally struck by car in Redding

May 19, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATED: Wednesday, May 20, 1:40 p.m.

See Original Story below.

REDDING, Calif. — Authorities investigating the death of a pedestrian killed while attempting to dart across SR-273 Monday evening, May 18, have identified the victim and are continuing to investigate the deadly accident.

The victim was not using a marked crosswalk when she was struck near Buenaventura Blvd., according to officials.

LEADING THE SCNS HEADLINES:
2020 fire season preparedness and Shasta County’s “Code Red” Emergency Notification System
Forest Service announces reopening of many Shasta-Trinity National Forest locations
Nathan A. Townsend: The man behind the historic Townsend Flat Ditch
Deputies interrupt Round Mountain burglary – Two arrested
Mistaken ID leads to Anderson student’s beating, robbery

City of Redding Police and Fire, along with other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the scene around 10:20 p.m., after receiving reports of a collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian, Redding Police Sgt. Gary Meadows has since reported.

Officers who investigated the deadly accident say the driver involved in the crash, Gessica Leuschner, 25, of Redding, stated she was driving northbound on SR-273 approaching Buena Ventura when a pedestrian ran across the road in front of her.

Officers work at the scene of a fatal traffic accident that killed a Redding pedestrian Monday night. Dylan Brown/KRCR News Channel 7 photo

“Leuschner said she was not able to avoid striking the pedestrian,” explained Meadows; who said the woman was evaluated by a DUI specialist who determined neither drug or alcohol intoxication were contributing factors in the deadly accident.

“Speed was not reported to be a factor in the collision either,” said Meadows.

The victim killed in the crash has since been identified as 46-year-old, Razy Lynn Tufnell, of Chico, according to Shasta County Chief Deputy Coroner Lt. Gunsauls.

“The subject suffered major injuries as a result of the collision and was
pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency personnel,” explained Gunsauls; who said Tufnell’s family has been notified of her passing and a postmortem examination has been scheduled.

The case remains under investigation by Redding PD.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or who witnessed the deadly accident and has not yet provided a statement to authorities is encouraged to contact Redding PD Traffic Specialist Dennis Mack at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 20R031011 and can remain anonymous.

Original Story: Redding pedestrian killed crossing SR-273

REDDING, Calif. — Details are beginning to emerge after a pedestrian was killed while crossing SR-273 near Buenaventura Blvd. in Redding last night, Monday, May 18.

Redding police officers and other emergency personnel were alerted to the accident around 10:20 p.m., official radio traffic at the time indicated.

Officers and others who responded to the accident determined the victim sustained major injuries and had passed away at the scene.

During their subsequent investigation, officers evaluated the driver, determining she was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs when she collided with the pedestrian killing her.

The name of the victim has not yet been released, pending further investigation and notification of the woman’s family.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

This article sponsored by:

Surrounded by beautiful scenic recreational areas, Gordon’s Rim Rock Ranch is located in Old Station, California, 14 miles north of Lassen Volcanic National Park on Hwy 44/89.

Within short distances of Subway Caves, McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, Thousand Lakes Wilderness, Caribou Wilderness Area, Pacific Crest Trail and several campground and picnic areas, the historic ranch features cabins and single room units, as well as tent and RV sites and an amazingly stocked country store.

Under new ownership since last May, Gordon’s Rim Rock Ranch is located on Hat Creek, with some of the best fishing in Northern California. Several lakes, such as Baum, Crater, Lake Britton and Battle Creek Reservoir can be found nearby, as can the spring fed Pit and Fall rivers.

For more information, visit Gordon’s Rim Rock Ranch online or on Facebook, or call (530) 335-3270.

For more information about Junior’s Westside Auto Sales visit them on Facebook or online.

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.