2 locals die when SUV strikes tree

A local woman fell asleep at the wheel Saturday morning and crashed into a tree in Humboldt County, killing two of her passengers, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Maira Montez, 27, was driving north on U.S. Highway 101 south of McKinleyville, a CHP report said.

The collision, which occurred around 7:15 a.m, killed Amador Montez Gonsalez, 54, and Octavio Montez, 5, both of Smith River. Both died at the scene, according to the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office.

Neither alcohol nor drugs were contributing factors, the CHP report.

After Montez fell asleep, her 2006 Chevrolet Suburban drifted to the east shoulder of the highway for about 300 feet before she woke up and steered the car back toward the highway, the CHP said. The sudden turning movement caused her car to spin in a counter-clockwise direction and the right side of the car hit a tree on the east side of the highway.

Montez and two other passengers, Guadalupe Montez, 37, and Resa Montez, 44, suffered moderate injuries and were transported to Mad River Community Hospital. Their conditions were not available Monday afternoon.