Police & Public Safety

Roll Over Car Crash Ends in Childs Death

CHP Report
Posted: 3/8/2012

Sacramento Region – On February 11, 2012 at approximately 4:20 p.m., Joe Chanthavong, a 26 year old from Sacramento was driving a blue 1999 Honda Accord southbound on I-5 from I-80. The Honda and a black pick up type vehicle, which was following behind the Honda, were apparently engaged in some type of road rage, making unsafe lane changes, following too close, and speeding.

As the Honda was traveling in the #2 lane just north of Garden Highway, Chanthavong abruptly steered to the right in attempt to exit the freeway. This movement caused him to lose control of his vehicle and travel across the gore point of the Garden Highway off-ramp and continue down an embankment where it traveled through a chain link fence and overturned. The Honda came to rest on its wheels in a grassy area west of the fence.

The adult occupants’ four year old son, who was not properly secured in a child restraint seat, was ejected and sustained fatal injuries. The right front passenger, Melinda Phouglonghong, a 23 year old from Sacramento was transported to UCD Medical Center with minor cuts and abrasions. Chanthavong was also transported to UCD Medical Hospital with a contusion to his head and minor cuts and abrasions.

Chanthavong is unlicensed and it is unknown if drug use is a contributing factor pending a toxicology report. This collision is still under investigation and charges are pending.

Witnesses reported the vehicle involved in the alleged road rage prior to this collision as a black Chevy pickup similar to an Avalanche displaying California license plates. If you have any information on the vehicle, its occupants, or this collision, please contact the North Sacramento CHP office at (916) 338-6710 or CHP Communications Center at (916) 861-1300.

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS BUCKLE UP AND DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE

The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement and traffic safety agency reporting to Business, Transportation and Housing Agency Acting Undersecretary Traci Stevens and Governor Jerry Brown.

Source: Officer Lizz Dutton, Public Information Officer.