NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. — Both the northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 49 are open after an accident between a pickup and semi-truck resulting in one death on Highway 49 at Alta Sierra Drive Tuesday morning.
According to California Highway Patrol (CHP), at approximately 6:25 a.m., a 48-year-old female driving a Toyota Tacoma in the northbound lane swerved to avoid hitting a deer. However, the 48-year-old hit the deer and then crashed head-on into Roberto Ordaz-Moralez, driving a semi-truck hauling 60,000 pounds of medical supplies in the southbound lane.
The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was ejected and pronounced dead. The driver of the semi-truck sustained minor injuries and was released on the scene.
According to CHP, "the impact ruptured one of the semi-truck's fuel tanks, causing approximately 100 gallons of diesel fuel to spill into a ditch on the east side of Highway 49." A hazmat crew was called to the crash to assist with a gas spill.
CHP says the incident remains under investigation.
