A single-car crash east of Woodland left a man critically injured Thursday and a railroad crossing temporarily without a functioning warning system, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The driver, 22-year-old Brandon Michael Burnett of Washington, was traveling southbound Old River Road near County Road 124 at a high rate of speed and lost control of his 2003 Mini Cooper at about 2:30 p.m. while entering a curve in the roadway, Officer Bryan Konvalin said.
The vehicle became airborne and ran off the road, striking a metal signal box operated by Sierra Northern Railway before hitting a tree and rolling 75 to 100 feet down an embankment, Konvalin said. Elkhorn firefighters performed extensive CPR on Burnett, who was flown by REACH helicopter to the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento with unspecified injuries.
Burnett remained in critical condition as of Friday, Konvalin said.
The CHP notified Sierra Northern Railway about the damaged signal box, which Konvalin said was knocked off its foundation and will require major repairs. The railroad plans to stop its trains before crossing the roadway, which also will be equipped with temporary warning signs for motorists, according to the CHP.