1 dead, 3 others injured after SUV veers off road and crashes into river, CHP says
By Jeremiah Martinez, Peyton Headlee
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EL DORADO COUNTY, California (KCRA) — One person is dead and three others, including two children, are injured after an SUV veers off Highway 50 and crashed into the American River in El Dorado County, according to California Highway Patrol.
CHP said the crash happened around 4 p.m. off Ice House Road near the south side of the American River. Authorities said there were four people, two adults and two children, in the Hyundai SUV, which was reported to be in the water near the shoreline.
CHP said the crash happened while it was raining.
“This is a time of day when it was raining. So, we have wet weather conditions going on. Initial reports indicated a vehicle lost control in the curve here and ended up going off the roadway here and down the embankment into the river,” Sgt. Brian Samms with the California Highway Patrol said.
Samms said a female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The three other victims, a man and two boys, were taken to Marshall Hospital with serious injuries, CHP said.
“Unsafe speed for traffic conditions is suspected at this time to be a likely cause for this collision as alcohol involvement has been ruled out at this time,” Samms said. “This is a good reminder for you and your families to take the opportunity to slow down in wet weather conditions, especially when it’s fresh rain most.”
CHP said good Samaritans jumped in to help before the first responders arrived.
“The very first people that were here were good Samaritans that either witnessed the crash happen or pulled up right after the crash. One who was here, we got a good statement from when I first showed up. He was literally bleeding from his legs and knees trying to forcibly work his way down that embankment to that car right after it happened,” Samms said. “We have a tremendous community up here in Placerville. And there’s a lot of good people that would do that.”
One-way traffic control was in effect for several hours. The scene cleared just after 8 p.m.
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