An early morning three-car wreck on Highway 104 west of Ione left one person dead and sent a 3-year-old child and two drivers to the hospital on Wednesday, authorities said. The violent collision shut down the rural two-lane stretch for about two hours while first responders and investigators flooded the scene.
According to CBS Sacramento, the crash happened shortly after 7 a.m. near Five Mile Drive, roughly four miles west of the Amador County town of Ione. Both directions of Highway 104 were closed between Five Mile Drive and Castle Oaks Drive during the investigation, and Caltrans estimated the roadway would reopen around 10 a.m.
How the collision unfolded
Per the California Highway Patrol, a Tesla heading north crossed into the southbound lane just north of Five Mile Drive, sideswiping a Honda Accord before crashing head-on into a Cadillac Escalade. CHP reported that the Accord and Escalade drivers were taken to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries, and a 3-year-old passenger in the Tesla was transported for evaluation. At least one person died in the wreck, and investigators are still working to determine why the Tesla crossed into oncoming traffic.
Investigation and what to know
CHP investigators remained on scene for hours, gathering debris, documenting the crash site and interviewing witnesses, and officials say the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are asking anyone with video or additional information about the collision to contact local law enforcement as they piece together what happened on that stretch of Highway 104.
