A Wednesday afternoon drive on westbound Interstate 80 turned tragic near Weimar Cross Road, south of Colfax, when a single-vehicle crash left two people dead and brought traffic to a crawl as emergency crews and investigators flooded the scene.
Crash Details And Official Response
The California Highway Patrol’s Auburn division said the collision happened just before 2:30 p.m. on the westbound side of I‑80 near the Weimar Cross Road overcrossing, between Colfax and Auburn, according to CBS Sacramento. CHP reported that only one vehicle was involved, and crews stayed on scene into the afternoon while investigators worked to piece together the cause of the crash.
Two people were killed, described by law enforcement only as a man and a woman, with names withheld pending notification of family, as reported by KCRA. Investigators said it was not immediately clear whether anyone else had been inside the vehicle, and officials urged drivers to expect delays in the area and to move through the corridor with extra caution.
Traffic Impact And Local Advice
Caltrans told reporters the right lane was blocked by crash debris and cleanup operations and did not have an estimate for when that lane would reopen. The westbound shoulder narrows to two lanes in this stretch, which amplified backups during the emergency response, according to CBS Sacramento. Drivers were advised to build in extra travel time and consider alternate routes while crews remained at work.
This stretch of I‑80 has seen major slowdowns and closures in recent years, from jackknifed big rigs to a propane tanker crash that closed lanes for hours, KCRA reported. CHP investigators stayed on scene Wednesday, and anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Auburn division.
