Man transported via CalStar after Saturday morning crash in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 32-year-old man was transported to Renown Medical Center in Reno early Saturday morning after his vehicle crashed into a tree near the intersection of San Jose Avenue and Lake Tahoe Boulevard.

At approximately 3:48 a.m. on May 9, 2020, an officer from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) came across the crash about 30 seconds after it happened. According to the preliminary investigation, the vehicle had been traveling westbound on Lake Tahoe Boulevard at a high rate of speed when it veered off the road and skidded along a long section of the curb before hitting the tree head-on. The car then rolled onto the driver's side. The driver was the sole occupant.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) responded and it took about one hour to extricate the driver from the vehicle. Both Tahoe Douglas Fire and Lake Valley Fire departments also responded to assist.

Calstar made a landing on Lake Tahoe Blvd (US50) between Lakeview and Tallac Avenues.

The unidentified male driver, who is not from the South Lake Tahoe area, was transported via the CalStar helicopter. According to South Lake Tahoe Police Sgt. Jason Cheney, as of 7:00 a.m. the driver was in the Renown Trauma Unit.

Cheney said the car had major front end damage from hitting the tree, but also some of the pictured damage came from extrication efforts.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation and it is unknown at this time if alcohol played a role.