An unidentified man driving a 2014 Kia Forte was killed Saturday afternoon in a high speed head-on collision with a tractor-trailer rig near Phil Dow road just west of Susanville on Highway 36.
According to the Susanville office of the California Highway Patrol the driver of the Kia was traveling westbound on the highway at a high rate of speed when he was observed by a CHP unit, who made a U-turn to initiate an enforcement stop.
According to the report the driver appeared to accelerate and continue westbound.
A man identified as 51-year old Shasta Lake resident Brian Rochon was driving a 2015 Peterbuilt big-rig eastbound when he saw the Kia coming towards him. The driver of the Kia then appeared to lose control, crossed into the eastbound lane and struck the big-rig head-on. Rochon only received minor injuries in the crash.
Because of the wreck traffic on Highway 36 was stopped for nearly 6 hours.
