Redding woman dies after Highway 44 crash, pickup driver arrested

A 36-year-old Redding woman died after a pickup struck the back of a car on Highway 44 Friday night, sending the car off the road. The California Highway Patrol arrested the pickup driver and said investigators suspect alcohol was a factor.

The crash happened around 10:53 p.m. on November 6th, just east of Shasta View Drive. CHP said both vehicles were headed west when a Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Anthony Carsella of Palo Cedro struck a Honda Accord from behind. The Honda left the highway and hit a building on the north side of the road.

The Honda’s driver, 44-year-old Ay Song Saechao of Redding, was able to get out of the car and was uninjured. Emergency crews freed the other woman from the car, but she died from her injuries. Her name was unavailable as of November 10th.

Carsella pulled over and stayed at the scene. He had minor injuries. A November 7th booking listing shows he was booked on suspicion of second-degree murder, DUI causing bodily injury and driving on a license suspended in connection with a DUI. I could not verify whether prosecutors had filed charges as of November 10th.

All westbound lanes reopened at about 1:48 a.m. Saturday, November 7th, according to the CHP dispatch log.