Ukiah woman identified as accident victim

A woman who burned in a fiery single-car crash on Highway 101 south of Hopland on Tuesday has been identified as Deborah Laseter, 53, of Ukiah, officials reported Friday.

Before the crash, a witness saw Laseter’s Mazda sports car driving the wrong way down northbound Highway 101 near Squaw Rock, fire officials said.

The witness, a state firefighter, followed her, trying to get her attention. He could see that her head was lolling back and from side to side, officials said.

The Mazda left the highway and crashed into a tree, causing it to burst into flames.

Efforts to rescue the woman from the car were stymied by the flames, officials said.