A Tuesday morning commute on State Route 113 in Woodland turned deadly when a northbound car left the roadway and flipped down a steep embankment, killing the driver. California Highway Patrol officers said the driver was ejected from the vehicle and later died, while a passenger survived with minor injuries. Northbound lanes were shut down for several hours as crews worked the crash site and investigators documented the scene.
According to CBS Sacramento, CHP reported the crash happened just before 9:30 a.m. when the northbound driver tried to pass another car by cutting through the center median. That move caused the driver to lose control, sending the vehicle across the southbound lanes before it rolled into the embankment.
CHP Investigating; Witnesses Sought
Live aerial footage and CHP traffic logs reviewed by KCRA showed the vehicle upside down and propped against a tree near the East Main Street offramp. Early log entries briefly placed the incident on Interstate 5 before officials clarified the crash was on Highway 113. Authorities have not yet released the driver's name and say it is still unclear whether drugs or alcohol played a role. Investigators are asking anyone who saw the collision to contact the Woodland CHP office at 530-702-6250.
Seat Belts Can Be Lifesavers
CHP said the driver was not wearing a seat belt, a factor investigators believe likely contributed to the ejection. Federal research indicates lap-and-shoulder belts cut the risk of fatal injury for front-seat car occupants by about 45%, highlighting just how critical buckling up can be. The NHTSA also stresses that airbags are engineered to work with seat belts, not replace them.
This Stretch Has Seen Other Serious Wrecks
This section of SR-113 has seen several serious crashes in recent weeks, including another fatal collision north of County Road 25A earlier this month. Local reporting on a deadly Highway 113 wreck has highlighted repeated emergency responses along this corridor, a pattern that has stirred community concern.
Investigators are still piecing together the chain of events that led to Tuesday's rollover. Anyone with photos, video or additional details is urged to contact CHP Woodland. Traffic has since reopened in the area, though drivers may still encounter occasional residual delays near the East Main Street ramps.
