An early Monday morning drive on northbound Highway 99 in south Sacramento turned deadly when a red Hyundai Santa Fe left the roadway near the Mingo Road off-ramp, slammed into a tree and left one person dead and another badly hurt.
The SUV veered out of the northbound lanes, crossed the dirt-and-grass median, shot across the Mingo Road on-ramp and then hit a tree. Both people inside were rushed to Kaiser South Sacramento Medical Center, where the passenger was pronounced dead. The driver suffered major injuries.
According to ABC10, the California Highway Patrol’s South Sacramento office said the crash happened at about 3:59 a.m. and that alcohol is suspected as a factor. CHP told the outlet that once the driver is medically cleared, they are expected to be arrested, and the investigation remains active.
Highway 99 safety concerns
The stretch of Highway 99 running through Sacramento has seen more than its share of serious and fatal wrecks in recent years, a trend that has frustrated residents and safety advocates. A previous account of crashes along the corridor highlighted a broader pedestrian-safety crisis and pointed to a deadly pattern on and around the freeway, including a fatal hit-and-run near Fruitridge Road that underscored long-standing worries about conditions on 99.
Investigation and next steps
CHP investigators combed through the crash scene and have not yet released the names of the driver or passenger, according to ABC10. The agency is asking anyone who might have information or dash-cam video from around the time of the wreck to contact the CHP South Sacramento office. Officials say the driver is expected to face arrest on suspicion of a DUI-related offense once released from the hospital and medically cleared.
