Authorities had trouble notifying Clemons’ family members of her death because she reportedly owned a large number of rental houses in Ventura, Oxnard and Santa Paula, causing visits to a numerous addresses to try to locate her survivors.The slow lane of westbound Highway 126 was closed for almost two hours after Clemons’ car veered off the road.The CHP is still investigating the accident.
Woman killed in Monday Highway 126 accident identified as Santa Paula resident
July 16, 2002
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesThe Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office released the identity of the woman who died Monday in single vehicle accident on Highway 126 when she lost control of her compact car and plunged into a drainage ditch.Mary Ann Clemons, 60 of Santa Paula, died instantly in the accident, which is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.CHP Officer Steven Reid said the July 8th accident occurred at about 7:33 a.m. when Clemons’ 1990 Honda, traveling in the westbound fast lane between Toland and Willard roads, unexpectedly veered to the right.The Honda struck a guardrail and flipped into a drainage ditch where it overturned several times before coming to rest against a utility pole, said CHP Officer Reid.Clemons, who was alone in the vehicle, suffered blunt force head injuries and was declared dead at the scene. Santa Paula Fire Department EMTs were dispatched to the accident as well as paramedics, who declared Clemons deceased.
