A late-afternoon drive through Pine Grove turned tragic Monday when a car crossed into oncoming traffic on Ridge Road and slammed into multiple vehicles, killing the driver. The crash happened around 4 p.m. near Sandar Road in Amador County, drawing a major response from emergency crews.
CHP: What Happened
According to CBS Sacramento, the California Highway Patrol said an eastbound Honda Civic suddenly drifted into the westbound lanes of Ridge Road. The Honda first sideswiped a Chevy Traverse, then collided head-on with a GMC Sierra. The Honda driver was rushed to a hospital and later died. The driver and passengers in the GMC suffered minor to moderate injuries, while everyone in the Traverse escaped without injury.
Ridge Road Crash History
Ridge Road through Pine Grove is no stranger to serious wrecks, a worrying reality for people who regularly navigate the narrow, rural two-lane stretch. Last summer, an injury crash that blocked the road was reported by KCRA, underscoring how a single moment of lane departure can have devastating consequences.
The CHP has not yet said why the Honda crossed into oncoming traffic. Investigators are working to determine the cause, including whether alcohol or drugs played any role, according to CBS Sacramento. Authorities have not publicly released the names of anyone involved, and the CHP is asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the agency.
