Early Friday, a four-vehicle crash on Highway 89 south of Tahoe City, near the entrance to Palisades Tahoe, left one person dead and wrecked the morning drive for hours. Firefighters pulled a person from a rolled white van after they were found trapped inside, and that person was later pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. The collision, first reported around 6:50 a.m., triggered a SigAlert and lengthy lane closures while crews worked to clear the wreckage.
Collision details
According to The Sacramento Bee, the crash involved four vehicles and happened just south of Olympic Valley Road near the resort entrance. Emergency crews reported finding one person trapped in the van and extricated them from the wreckage. The Placer County coroner's division said the victim's identity will be released by the coroner's office.
Roadway and response
Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol put one-way traffic control in place for southbound lanes while a SigAlert shut down Highway 89 between Olympic Valley Road and about five miles south of Truckee, according to CBS Sacramento. CHP traffic logs show the crash was reported around 6:50 a.m., and crews spent hours clearing debris and towing disabled vehicles while investigators processed the scene.
Investigation underway
The California Highway Patrol said the cause of the collision is still under investigation and has not released details about possible contributing factors, per reporting by The Sacramento Bee. The outlet also reports that the coroner will release the victim's name after next-of-kin notification. CHP has asked anyone with photos or video from the area at the time of the crash to contact investigators.
Before you head to Tahoe
Drivers headed to the Tahoe Basin should plan for delays and check Caltrans' QuickMap for real-time road conditions, chain controls and closures (Caltrans QuickMap). Local broadcasters and state traffic feeds shared updates through the morning as crews cleared the scene, and motorists are being urged to allow extra time for trips to Palisades Tahoe this weekend.
