CBS News reports that one person has died, and three others were injured after a suspected intoxicated driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree over the weekend in Sacramento County.
According to a statement released by the California Highway Patrol on Monday, the fatal crash happened just after 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 4 along New Hope Road west of Galt and near the small town of Thornton.
Investigators say that a 54-year-old man from the Herald area driving a 2018 Honda Accord eastbound on New Hope Road at 54 – 55 miles per hour when he failed to make a 92-degree turn. The driver lost control of his vehicle and veered off the roadway into a tree.
A 48-year-old woman riding as a passenger was ejected from the vehicle when the car collided with the tree. Despite all life-saving efforts, the woman died at the scene of the crash. The CHP told reporters that the victim had not been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Two other passengers, children aged 12 and 13 years, suffered minor injuries and were taken to UC Davis for treatment of their injuries.
While weather conditions at the time of the crash were rainy, windy, and cold, the CHP said that alcohol impairment was a contributing factor in the fatal crash.
