South Lake Tahoe man dies in vehicle accident at Ski Run and Pioneer Trail

A South Lake Tahoe man died and two were hospitalized in an early Saturday morning accident near Pioneer Trail and Ski Run Boulevard.
William Olazaba of South Lake Tahoe, a passenger in a white Honda Accord driven by Roberto Olazaba, 22, died at Barton Memorial Hospital. According to South Lake Tahoe police, the Honda broadsided a GMC Yukon driven by Noe Corea, 26, of South Lake Tahoe.
The accident was reported at around 1:35 a.m. and alcohol is suspected as being a contributing factor, according to South Lake Tahoe police. The vehicles struck a power utility box and knocked out power to the Ski Run area, police said.

Below a news release from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department detailing the accident:

Fatal Collision at Ski Run and Pioneer takes the life of resident William Olazaba

On December 15th at approximately 1:35 am, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to a traffic collision on Pioneer Trail at Ski Run Boulevard. When officers arrived on scene, they located a white Honda Accord that was being driven by Roberto Olazaba, 22 year old from So Lake Tahoe and a gold GMC Yukon that was being driven by Noe Corea, a 26 year old also from So Lake Tahoe.

The Honda Accord broadsided the GMC Yukon in the intersection of Pioneer Trl and Ski Run Blvd. Three patients were transported to Barton Memorial Hospital for treatment. William Olazaba, passenger in the Honda, succumbed to his injuries at Barton Memorial Hospital. Roberto has been admitted for observation. The passenger from the GMC was treated at Barton and Released. This collision is still under investigation. Alcohol is suspected as being a contributing factor.

This collision caused a temporary power outage in the Ski Run neighborhood due to one of the vehicle’s striking the power converter box at that intersection. All power has been restored in the area by Liberty Power Company.

This is the third fatal collision in So Lake Tahoe in the past four months. In August, a 51-year-old male was struck and killed on Lake Tahoe Blvd near Pioneer Trail. In that case, the pedestrian had a blood alcohol concentration of .19 percent and walked in front of an oncoming vehicle. In September a 71 year old female was struck by a vehicle on Lake Tahoe Blvd near Friday Ave. Alcohol was not a factor in that collision. In both of these cases, the pedestrian was found at fault for the accident.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision that occurred last night at Ski Run Blvd and Pioneer Trail is requested to contact Ofc John Speath at the So Lake Tahoe Police Department (530) 542-6100.