FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2009

MAJOR INJURY COLLISION STATE ROUTE 58 WEST OF TEHACHAPI BLVD

On March 1, 2009 at 4:25 PM CHP Officers responded to a solo vehicle collision on State Route 58, west of Tehachapi Blvd.  The driver (Jerry Surratt, 27 year old male, Colorado Springs Colorado) was traveling eastbound State Route 58 at approx 70 miles per hour when he lost control of his 2006 Dodge Caravan.  The Dodge Caravan exited the roadway and overturned down a steep dirt embankment south of the freeway.  Surratt and the right front passenger (Aaron Rieber, 26 year old male, Colorado Springs Colorado) were not wearing their seatbelts.  Rieber was thrown from the vehicle as it overturned, and sustained major injuries.  Surratt remained in the vehicle and sustained moderate injuries.  Rieber was transported to Kern Medical center,   Surratt was transported to Tehachapi Hospital.  There were three additional passengers in the Dodge Caravan.  The passengers were identified as the following: John Cormier (21 year old male), Charnell Cole (19 year old female) both of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Mike Smith 25 year old male from Riverside, Ca.  These three passengers sustained minor injuries. 

CHP MOJAVE