A photo of the wrecked vehicles – Lassen Historical Society

When news of the ghastly event reached Susanville, everyone was stunned. Rumors trickled in until finally, three Enterprise teachers left the game and went to the scene of the accident.

The teachers joined the few other onlookers, who were stunned by what they saw. On the ground near the wreck lay a single black and gold cheerleader pom pom.

As law enforcement gathered evidence, the story became clearer. The teens had left Redding to attend the football game in Susanville. Eighteen-year-old Warren Martineau was driving, and his passengers, all 17 years old, were Martineau’s girlfriend, Shelly Roberts, who was the Hornet mascot, ‘Buzzy’, Kathy Van Doren, cheerleader, Debbie Johnson, song leader, Jennifer Brewen, cheerleader, and Donna Maddox, a student government representative.

On Highway 44, about three miles from the junction with Highway 36, Martineau was speeding. Highway patrolman Victor Sands estimated that his 1959 Chevy Impala was traveling in excess of 70 miles per hour.

He passed another vehicle on a sweeping curve, and then lost control and crossed the dividing line. The Impala bounced off of the bank, hit a ridge along the road, then rebounded back onto the highway, where the car hit Roy Green’s empty logging truck head-on.

One of the girls had been thrown from the vehicle, but the others remained inside. They were all dead. Forty-seven-year-old Green was injured and taken to Lassen Memorial Hospital.

The Chevy had disintegrated under the truck. Lassen County undersheriff, Del Gorbet said, “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen.”

The Enterprise teachers attempted to identify the victims. Teacher Don Brown said, “I could recognize one – or thought I could recognize one. There were just bits and pieces of kids.” Personal belongings, along with empty and full beer cans littered the scene.

By ‘halftime’ the true horror of the tragedy reached the football game in Susanville. Coach Russell asked his players if they wished to continue. One player spoke up, saying that the girls were coming to support them, and they should do their best. The game continued with no score by either team in the second half. The Enterprise Hornets won 7-0.

In Redding, funerals were planned. Martineau’s funeral was held separately. There was some animosity as the young man, with simply poor judgement, was blamed for the wreck. But no one knows what happened as those six young people sped to their death.

Flags in the Shasta Union High School District waved at half-staff, and some 1,300 Enterprise High School students took part in the funeral services for the five girls who would never graduate with their classmates.

The stolen vehicle at the conclusion of the chase, on the Richmond Road Bridge over the Susan River

The officer then parked in front of the Tahoe and activated his warning lights to warn oncoming traffic.

“The CHP officer contacted the driver and asked what was wrong with the vehicle, along with a request for identification,” explains CHP Public Information Officer Bruce Thuelchassaigne.

“The driver and the passenger in the Tahoe stated they did not have a driver’s license and didn’t know who the vehicle belonged to. The CHP Officer asked the driver to turn off the Tahoe, at which point the driver placed the Tahoe into gear and sped off eastbound towards Susanville.”

Just like that, the pursuit was on, with speeds reaching 115mph.

“The Tahoe made several unsafe passing maneuvers and forced vehicles off the road. Upon reaching town hill, CHP canceled the pursuit due to concerns for public safety.”

According to the report, the CHP officer turned onto Cottage Street in uptown Susanville and again encountered the Tahoe, parked on South Lassen Street. Both occupants were out of the vehicle.

“The driver of the Tahoe jumped back into the vehicle, put the Tahoe into reverse and rammed the CHP patrol vehicle. The passenger remained outside of the vehicle and the Tahoe accelerated away, south on Lassen Street.”

A short time later responding CHP units observed the Tahoe, crashed into the Richmond Road Bridge at the Susan River.

“The driver fled the scene, running down to the Susan River. CHP, Susanville Police and Lassen County Sheriff’s Department established a perimeter around the area. A CHP Officer located the suspect hiding behind large rocks near the river.”

The Tahoe was recently stolen from Chico, and the driver was on probation and had warrants from Butte County. He was identified by the CHP as 20-year-old Chico resident Wesley Chance Hudson.

Lassen Crime Stoppers, a local organization which pays up to $1,000 for tips and information leading to the arrest of someone who commits a crime, has released this week’s list of names and photos of subjects ‘wanted’ by local law enforcement agencies.

To report information about a crime you can anonymously call a simple telephone number, (530) 502-TIPS, and if that information pays off for local law enforcement you will be paid up to $1,000 in cash.

Help clean up Lassen County by anonymously working with the Susanville Police Department, the Lassen County Probation Department and the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office through Crime Stoppers.

The Elks Lodge in the late 1930’s from an Eastman Studios photo postcard.

Elks Plan Meet in Reno Tonight

Many Members From Susanville to Attend

November 17, 1931

Led by Hardin Barry, exalted ruler; more than 100 officers and members of Susanville lodge of Elks, will meet with Reno lodge tonight at an intercity meeting, when the initiatory rites will be conferred, and entertainment program provided for the visitors and ladies.

The Lassen county delegation will arrive here soon after 6 o’clock, by automobile caravan, and at 7 o’clock, a buffet dinner will be served at the Elk’s homes. This will be followed at 7:30 o’clock by a half hour’s musical program at the lodge room by the high school orchestra of 40 pieces under the direction of Rolla V. Johnson, head of the music department at the school. At 8 o’clock, the visiting ladies will be guests at a theater party at the Majestic.

From 8 to 10 o’clock, the initiatory degree will be exemplified by the officers of Susanville lodge on a class of four candidates consisting of Harry Frost, George Siri, Louis Rosasco and Dr. M. B. Alden.

An informal dance will follow from 10 to 1 o’clock for the members of the two lodges and their ladies.

A special tie of fellowship exists between the Reno and Susanville lodges, local Elks declare, as a large number of the members of the Lassen organization were formerly affiliated with the Reno lodge prior to the institution of the Susanville lodge. Frequent intercity visits have been made.

One of the largest gatherings of recent years by Reno lodge is indicated, S. H. Cooper, exalted ruler said last night, with a large representation of members from nearby cities expected.