UPDATE April 23, 3 P.M.: The Sacramento County Coroner has identified the driver of a car involved in a crash that killed four people on Highway 50 early Wednesday morning.
KCRA reports the driver of the Toyota Prius involved in the three-vehicle crash was identified as 19-year-old Elizabet Torres-Zela of Carmichael.
The California Highway Patrol said she was driving the wrong way on Highway 50 for several miles before crashing head-on into a pickup truck carrying three men.
Torreszela and the three men were pronounced dead at the scene.
April 22, 9 A.M. -- The California Highway Patrol is investigating whether alcohol or drugs were involved in the fatal crash that snarled traffic early Wednesday on westbound Highway 50 heading into Downtown Sacramento.
All lanes of 50 are open now. The accident happened around 2:30 this morning, killing four people. The CHP says the driver of a Toyota Prius was heading eastbound in the westbound lanes when the car slammed head-on into a pickup truck.
The woman driving the Prius and three men inside the pickup truck were all pronounced dead at the scene. A third vehicle was also involved. That driver suffered minor injuries.
8:20 A.M. All lanes of westbound Highway 50 in Sacramento are now re-open after a three-car crash this morning near Stockton Boulevard killed four people.
The California Highway Patrol says the crash happened around 2:30 this morning-- after dispatch received a call that a Toyota Prius was driving the wrong way on westbound 50.
The Prius hit a pick-up truck-- a third vehicle hit the truck as well, causing it to catch on fire. A passing motorist tried to help but couldn't because of the fire. CHP says there'll be an investigation into whether alcohol or drugs were involved.
7:30 A.M. All lanes on westbound Highway 50 near Stockton Boulevard have reopened following a deadly crash Wednesday morning.
WB Highway 50 at Stockton Blvd. now open.
— Caltrans District 3 (@D3PIO) April 22, 2015
7:15 A.M. A deadly crash on westbound Highway 50 has killed four people Wednesday morning and snarled traffic heading into downtown Sacramento.
Officer Michael Bradley is with the California Highway Patrol. He says the accident happened around 2:30 this morning. Bradley says CHP dispatch received a call that a car was traveling the wrong way on Highway 50. Bradley says that car hit a truck.
"The truck gyrated and was subsequently struck by a Hyundai Sonata," he says. "That collision caused the truck to catch fire."
In all, three vehicles were involved in the accident. Bradley says another motorist tried to help people in the car and truck but could not reach them because of the fire.
If you're on 50, Bradley advises getting off the freeway at Watt Ave. and taking surface streets to avoid the back-up.
As of 7:15 A.M. three out of five lanes have been opened on the westbound Highway 50.
3 of 5 lanes now open on WB Highway 50 at Stockton Blvd. Use alternate routes to avoid congestion.
— Caltrans District 3 (@D3PIO) April 22, 2015
-Capital Public Radio Staff
6:40 A.M. Four people are dead and lanes are still shut down from an early morning accident on west bound Highway 50 just east of Stockton Boulevard.
Officer Michael Bradley is with the California Highway Patrol. He says they're trying to clear three westbound lanes that are blocked within the next half-hour. He says motorists will want to take an alternate route.
"Right now, we're not diverting traffic at this point, but we are recommending alternate means, using surface streets, or getting up at 65th St., Howe Ave. or Watt Ave., working your way around because we do have traffic backed up right now," Bradley says.
Just before 2:30 a.m., CHP got a report of a car going the wrong way near Harbor Boulevard-- driving eastbound on the westbound lanes of Highway 50.
The car hit a truck, which was then hit by another car. That collision caused the truck to catch fire. Other motorists tried to help but could not get to the car because of the fire.
-Capital Public Radio Staff
CHP releases traffic holding on WB Highway 50 near Stockton Blvd. Only 2 of 5 lanes are open as crews continue to work at crash scene,
— Caltrans District 3 (@D3PIO) April 22, 2015
CHP temporarily holding traffic at crash scene on WB Highway 50 near Stockton Blvd.
— Caltrans District 3 (@D3PIO) April 22, 2015
Update: 2 lanes open on WB US Highway 50 at Stockton Blvd. Use alternate routes to avoid congestion.
— Caltrans District 3 (@D3PIO) April 22, 2015
PHOTOS: 4 dead in wrong-way crash on HWY 50 near Stockton Boulevard. http://t.co/cwPmOCF8Nf pic.twitter.com/gNVfDEoD8M
— Tauhid Chappell (@TauhidChappell) April 22, 2015
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