On New Year’s Eve, 12/31/2020, at 11:11 pm, the Grass Valley CHP responded to, and investigated a multi vehicle collision. A 35 foot motorhome, driven by Raymond Poquette, an 80 year old male from Grass Valley, was traveling southbound on SR-49 north of Cerrito Road. Poquette crossed into the northbound lane and struck head-on a 2011 Nissan Altima driven by a 56 year old female from Grass Valley. The motorhome also collided into a 2010 Dodge Charger that was traveling behind the Nissan. The driver of the Nissan sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision and the driver of the and Dodge sustained minor injuries.
Throughout the night and most of today, New Year’s Day, Grass Valley CHP officers worked with CHP Valley Division Investigative Services Unit, the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office, CHP Computer Crimes Unit, and the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office to begin conducting this investigation. As a result of the collaborative efforts, probable cause was established during the investigation to effect the arrest of Raymond Poquette. With the assistance of the Grass Valley Police Department, Poquette was located and arrested within the City Limits of Grass Valley for California Penal Code section 187(a) – Murder. Poquette was booked into the Nevada County Jail this afternoon.
This investigation is still ongoing by the California Highway Patrol – Grass Valley Area.