Hit-and-run crash near Don Pedro Reservoir claims three lives

Three people have died after a crash caused by a driver passing illegally who fled the scene on La Grange Road near Don Pedro Reservoir late Friday afternoon.

The California Highway Patrol initially reported one death in the crash, which happened just before 4:30 p.m. Friday north of Bonds Flat Road. Those killed were a 51-year-old woman and her teenage daughter and a 72-year-old man. Three others involved in the crash remain in the hospital.

A Lexus SUV driven by 16-year-old Trista Hoffman of La Grange and carrying her mother, Tina Hoffman, 51; brother, Dillon Hoffman, 17; and friend Annie Johnson, 16, was traveling south on La Grange Road as a Toyota Camry driven by 66-year-old Dorothy Eisemann of Copperopolis and carrying her 72-year-old husband, Rheinholt Eisemann, approached from the north. A third vehicle attempted to pass the Toyota over a solid double-yellow line, said CHP Sonora Officer Faustino Pulido.

The Lexus SUV swerved to avoid the oncoming passing car, went into the dirt shoulder and then back onto the roadway, where it overturned onto its right side. The Toyota then collided with the roof of the overturned SUV. Tina Hoffman and Trista Hoffman suffered fatal injuries at the scene. Rheinholt Eisemann was flown to Sonora Regional Medial Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Dillon Hoffman suffered major injuries and was flown to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. Johnson also suffered major injuries and was airlifted to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. All three teenagers were students at Sonora High School. Dorothy Eisemann had minor injuries and was taken via ambulance to Memorial Medical Center.

Pulido said the driver of the passing vehicle fled north after the crash. No information about who was in the vehicle or a description of the vehicle are available at this time. The driver could face felony no-contact hit-and-run as well as vehicular manslaughter charges.

“We are desperately asking for any help,” Pulido said. “We ask people to come forward and call with anything.”

Alcohol or drugs are not believed to have been factors; the crash is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Pulido at 916-634-3502 or the CHP Sonora office at 209-984-3944.

This story was originally published October 22, 2016 at 12:55 PM with the headline "Hit-and-run crash near Don Pedro Reservoir claims three lives."