Teen killed in crash near Willits ID’d

An 18-year-old man who was killed a week ago in a car crash near Willits has been identified as Lawrence A. Warden Jr. of Ukiah, the CHP said Wednesday.

The teen was in the front passenger seat of a 2010 Toyota Sequoia heading north on Eastside Road about 7:20 p.m. Aug. 14 when the SUV ran off the road and hit a tree, rolling over several times.

The accident is under investigation, according to Officer J. Slates, but he said the driver, Sparrow Brown-Steele, 19, of Ukiah, appeared to have caused the accident by making an unsafe turn.

“We’re still trying to figure it out, but charges will be filed,” Slates said.

A second passenger, Eagle Martinez, 15, of Redwood Valley, suffered major cuts to his face, arms and right knee as well as a broken rib in the crash, the accident report said. His current condition was not known.

Brown-Steele reported injuries at the time of the accident, the CHP said.

Brown-Steele and Warden are members of area Indian tribes, according to Verle Anderson of Ukiah, also a member and founder of the Native American History Project.

Staff Writer Glenda Anderson contributed to this report. You can reach Staff Writer Elizabeth M. Cosin at 521-5276 or elizabeth.cosin@pressdemocrat.com.