A late-night wrong-way crash on Interstate 5 in rural Yolo County just before midnight Tuesday left two people dead and a third seriously injured, authorities said. First responders found two vehicles on the southbound side of I-5, south of County Road 8, after one car reportedly crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed head-on into another. The wrong-way driver died at the scene, and a passenger in the vehicle that was hit was also killed. The surviving driver suffered major injuries. Investigators said they believe drugs or alcohol were contributing factors.
According to CBS Sacramento, the California Highway Patrol was first alerted just before midnight Tuesday and CHP investigators remain on scene. Authorities have not released the names of those who died while the Yolo County coroner and CHP complete next-of-kin notifications and evidence collection.
Why wrong-way crashes are so deadly
State transportation officials say wrong-way collisions are relatively rare but disproportionately lethal. Caltrans reports an average of about 37 people die each year in wrong-way crashes in California. The agency has been rolling out countermeasures, ranging from red reflective pavement markers to larger illuminated signage, after pilot tests showed sizable reductions in wrong-way entries at upgraded ramps, according to Caltrans.
What investigators are focusing on
CHP investigators told CBS Sacramento they are examining how the vehicles moved before and during impact, where occupants were seated, and whether toxicology results confirm impairment. Officials said more details, including the identities of those who died, will be released only after next-of-kin notifications are complete and the investigation produces firm findings.
Potential legal consequences
If the investigation confirms impairment, prosecutors could pursue charges under state law, including DUI causing injury, defined in Vehicle Code 23153, or other statutes that apply when crashes cause serious injury or death, per the California Vehicle Code. The specific charges will depend on toxicology results, witness statements and the district attorney's review of CHP's collision report.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has dash-cam footage is asked to contact the CHP Woodland-area office at (530) 702-6250, according to KCRA. CHP and Yolo County investigators are urging anyone with tips to come forward to help piece together what led to the fatal wrong-way collision.
