Fatal Crash Near Echo Summit on Highway 50
On the afternoon of Thursday, July 22, 2021, one person was killed, and at least five others were injured in a multi-car head-on collision in the vicinity of Echo Summit on U.S. Highway 50. The crash resulted in the closure of Highway 50 for more than two hours.
Details of the Echo Summit Crash
The deadly incident occurred shortly after 5:00 p.m. Witnesses reported that a female driver of a 2006 Saturn was driving in the westbound lane of Highway 50 and operating the vehicle aggressively. The Saturn driver was making aggressive passing maneuvers and traveling at unsafe speeds when she lost control of the vehicle and veered into oncoming eastbound traffic. The Saturn veered directly into the path of a Chevy Equinox that was traveling east on 50 in the vicinity of Tamarack Pines Road and Sierra-at-Tahoe. The Equinox was being driven by a 20-year-old resident of Citrus Heights, California. The impact tore the Saturn vehicle in two, and the Saturn driver was ejected. She then collided with a 2013 Toyota Corolla that was traveling behind the Chevrolet. Half of the Saturn also crashed into the Corolla.
The Saturn driver, a Sparks resident whose name and age has not been released, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The five occupants of the Chevy Equinox, all under the age of 20, were transported to area hospitals – one was taken to Renown Medical Center in Reno, and the other four were transported to Barton Memorial in South Lake Tahoe. The Equinox was briefly on fire following the collision, but the flames were put out by good samaritans that had stopped to help. The Toyota driver, a resident of Vacaville, California, left the scene with family members.
The Aftermath of the Accident
Investigation and clean-up of the collisions resulted in the closure of Highway 50 for more than two hours.
According to the CHP, they do not believe drugs and/or alcohol impairment played any role in the tragic incident.
Watch the YouTube video. The news clip below was uploaded by CBS13. It reports on the fatal accident.
South Lake Tahoe Traffic Fatalities
A CHP officer remarked to media sources that this incident represents the third fatality that has been handled by the South Lake Tahoe office of the CHP since April of this year. An unusual circumstance is that all of those fatalities have been female.
The Aggressive Driving Epidemic
Based on what witnesses reported, it appears that aggressive driving may have been a factor in this tragic Highway 50 accident. Research done by AAA reveals that close to 80 percent of motorists have expressed anger, aggression, or rage while driving on at least one recent occasion. Aggressive driving is not only extremely common among American drivers, it is extremely dangerous and has become a major source of concern for motorists. Aggressive driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving.
Aggressive Driving – What is It?
Aggressive driving can be defined as deliberate driving behavior with ill intent or a disregard for safety. Some examples of this type of behavior include:
- Tailgating
- Traveling at unsafe speeds in heavy traffic
- Running red traffic lights or stop signs
- Cutting off other drivers
- Changing lanes abruptly and without using a turn signal
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Brake checking other drivers in an attempt to “punish” them
- Blocking vehicles that are trying to change lanes or pass
South Lake Tahoe Personal Injury Lawyer
Thank you for visiting our legal blog. We are saddened to report on this terrible accident that resulted in injuries and loss of life. I’m Ed Smith, a South Lake Tahoe Personal Injury Attorney. If you have suffered injuries due to the negligent behavior of another motorist, our injury lawyers would be happy to provide free and friendly advice. Call us at (530) 392-9400 or, from outside the local area code, toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
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Photo: Pixabay
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