Driver involved in deadly crash may have been going 90 mph

An investigation continues into the South Lake Tahoe accident that claimed the life of a local 21-year old woman and sent two people to Reno hospitals with serious injuries.

Aimee Campos died after a car driven by 20-year old Olga Penaarce, also of South Lake Tahoe, crashed at the intersection of Pioneer Trail and Edna Street early Monday morning. 25-year old Wayne Walker of Sacramento was also a passenger in the car.

South Lake Tahoe Police Lieutenant Brian Williams told South Tahoe Now that preliminarily estimates show that the vehicle was traveling at an extremely high rate of speed (perhaps 90-100 mph) before the driver evidently lost control.

Since the investigation is on-going, no charges have been filed at this time. Williams said that alcohol is suspected to be a contributing factor, however results of a blood alcohol test for the driver are pending.

The two survivors of the accident are still in the hospital in Reno so SLTPD investigators haven't been able to collect their statements. Interviews with witnesses have been challenging to get due to people being away for the holiday according to Williams.

Investigations include a detailed review of crush evidence on the body of the vehicle, looking at the objects and evidence of what was found inside and/or ejected from the interior of the vehicle upon impact, an examinations of objects struck by the vehicle as well as recreating the scene with computer enhanced digital mapping. They will then compare the mapping information to the collision scene photographs and work with mathematical figures to determine the accurate rate of speed. The skid marks are still evident from Glenwood Drive to Edna Street where they show the vehicle's path right to street signs and a rocky drainage area.

A South Lake Tahoe Police Detective was at Campos' autopsy Wednesday in Sacramento.

"The autopsy findings will contribute to our collection of evidence and a more complete understanding of how this event happened, beyond what was merely the result." Williams said.

SLTPD will be working closely with the El Dorado County DA’s office to determine whether, or what, appropriate criminal charges should be brought in this case.