chp

Highway 50 back open over Echo Summit; Cars stuck on side roads

Echo Summit was closed this morning so crews could work on avalanche control, creating a backup not only on Highway 50 in Meyers, but on side roads leading to the summit. Heavy snow stranded several motorists on North Upper Truckee near Mt. Rainer. Lake Tahoe Blvd was closed at Sawmill Pond while the highway was closed to prevent more drivers from driving towards North Upper Truckee.

Highway 50 over Echo Summit closed for avalanche control, traffic backed up

8:25 p.m. update - Traffic is starting to move over Echo Summit.

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8:00 p.m. update - Highway 50 from Meyers to Sly Park remains closed at this hour due to avalanche control. There have also been several spin-outs and other weather related issues according to and earlier Caltrans report.

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Traffic has been backed up for hours on Highway 50 as people head to South Lake Tahoe for a weekend of fresh powder. Snow, snow covered roads and chain controls have made travel slow and now the road is closed between Meyers and Pollock Pines for avalanche control.

Tahoe City woman dies when tree falls on car on SR-89

A 43-year-old woman from Tahoe City, Calif., was killed Thursday after a tree fell onto her car as she was driving north of Squaw Valley on SR-89.

According to the California Highway Patrol in Truckee, several cars were on the roadway at about 6:30 p.m. when a tree fell onto the road, hitting two cars, a Subaru and Cadillac Escalade.

The driver of the Subaru was pronounced dead at the scene.

Another tree fell on a third car as the driver stopped to check on the occupant of the Subaru. Occupants of the Cadillac and Tesla were uninjured.

Traffic stuck for hours at Echo Summit due to avalanche and safety concerns

After drivers were stuck on both sides of Echo Summit starting at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Caltrans has closed the highway as of 7:05 p.m. Eastbound traffic is being stopped at the Sly Park, and westbound in Meyers. Unsafe driving conditions due to heavy snow and the threat of avalanches have been a concern all day.

As of 7:00 p.m., cars hadn't moved much. For a short time at 4:00 p.m. Caltrans was attempting escorted travel from Meyers heading west before closing down the highway.

Monday morning South Lake Tahoe storm recap

10:00 a.m. update 1/9/17: The City of South Lake Tahoe and the American Red Cross have closed their evacuation center in the city. One person arrived at the evacuation center last night.

"LTUSD and the Red Cross were excellent partners during last night’s storm event," said Tracy Franklin of the City of South Lake Tahoe.

The SLT Public Works department will be focusing on snow removal today. They are also working on getting the deep slushy water out of roadways. Franklin said the flood areas are still flooded and not receding at this point.

Motorist behavior along Highway 50 in the Sierra a concern to Caltrans and CHP

The snow hasn't been the only concern on Highway 50 over Echo Summit and along the road to Strawberry. The behavior of motorists who park illegally on the road is becoming more of a safety issue and hazard.

For those that have driven this stretch, the situation isn't anything new though there has been a big increase in offenders.

Drivers are pulling over on the roadway, a state highway, to experience snow play, and those parking are not paying attention to "No Parking" signs or the dangerous situation they are causing.

Slow moving traffic leaving South Lake Tahoe after long holiday weekend

With roads clear on Sunday it still took drivers almost three hours to make it the 99 miles Stateline to Sacramento, and it appears today will be worse due to heavy snow and chain controls.

The California Highway Patrol is currently working on a collision by Ice House Road and Highway 50 and they closed the road at 11:16 a.m. to clear the vehicles.

They are also working on accidents near Bridal Veil Falls and the old St. Paulie's Inn. Bridal Veil Falls area was also the scene of many Sunday evening accidents.

Keep yourself and those around you safe during New Year's holiday, do not drive impaired

Deaths caused by drunk drivers had decreased during the past three decades due to increased awareness, education and more choices of sober drivers, but authorities are seeing a rise in 2016. Over 10,000 people died in 2015 after someone chose to drink and drive.

New Year's Day is the single deadliest day for drunk driving and accidents caused by drunk drivers. The 12-hour window between 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 6 a.m. on Jan. 1 tends to have about 71 percent more crashes where alcohol or drugs are listed as a contributing factor.

New California laws in 2017: Human trafficking, car seats, cell phones and more

Denim is now the state’s official fabric to recognize its role in California history, and every autographed collectible sold in California must come with a certificate that verifies it's not a forgery. Those are just two of 898 new laws facing Californians in 2017.

Here are just a few of them compiled in part by California Highway Patrol (CHP):

11-year-old boy from Sacramento dies in crash on Highway 50 near Riverton

An 11-year-old boy was killed and three other people were injured when a BMW went off Highway 50 in El Dorado County, the California Highway Patrol said.

The crash happened about 12 a.m. Wednesday on westbound Highway 50 near Riverton Court when a 33-year-old man driving a BMW lost control of his vehicle as he was making a turn, officers said. The driver tried to apply his breaks when the wheel locked causing the car to go off the road.

Placerville CHP Sgt. Chris Davis said the speed limit in this area is 55 mph, but that night it was dropped to 45 as a precaution.

Heavy traffic in and out of South Lake Tahoe Monday

A look at roads around Lake Tahoe Monday afternoon shows congestion and slow moving traffic, especially near ski resorts.

Holiday travelers in Tahoe for the weekend headed out, while a fresh group of visitors headed in, filling up area lodging properties.

Two people hit after getting out of vehicle near Twin Bridges

The California Highway Patrol is currently working on an accident near Twin Bridges that involved four cars and resulted in two major injuries.

According to Jeff Gardner of the CHP in Meyers, a green Chevy Suburban was disabled when their chains came off just before 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 23. There were six people in the vehicle, and one got out to tend to the chains when they were hit by another vehicle. As another passenger from the Suburban got out to help, they too were hit by a car.

DUI crash near Hope Valley sends one to hospital via Calstar

A 23-year-old Markleville woman was transported to Renown Medical Center via Calstar with moderate injuries on Sunday, December 11 after crashing her vehicle on SR-89.

Law enforcement responding to several accidents Saturday evening

12:00 a.m. update 11/27/16: Chain controls have lowered to Sly Park Road in Pollock Pines, heading eastward to Meyers on Highway 50. Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four wheel / all wheel drive vehicles with snow treaded tires on all wheels.

SR 89 northbound: Chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles except four wheel / all wheel drive vehicles with snow treaded tires on all wheels.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.

The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at press time and the story may be updated when provided.

10/23/16

1:15 a.m. - Disorderly Conduct: Alcoholo - Jicarilla Dr - A 34-YEAR-OLD MALE WAS ARRESTED FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION. THE SUSPECT WAS BOOKED INTO EDCJ AND LATER RELEASED
PURSUANT TO 849(B)(2) PC.

6:56 a.m. - Death Investigation - South Lake Tahoe - 89-YEAR-OLD FEMALE DECEASED.

Placer County Sheriff's K-9 Chase finds 54 pounds of pot

It was just another day of work for Chase, a K-9 who works with the Placer County Sheriff's Office. On Thursday, October 13, Chase and his handler, Deputy Josh Buckley, were called in to assist the California Highway Patrol with a traffic stop on Interstate 80, just west of Highway 267.

One there, Chase's nose took control and he ended up sniffing large vacuum sealed boxes which contained a total of 54 pounds of marijuana.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested by CHP.

Search continues for missing airplane near Lake Tahoe

Poor weather has hampered the search for a pilot and his Cessna, missing since Saturday when they were expected at a Jackson, Calif., airport. The unnamed pilot was flying from Idaho.

Aircraft from CHP and Civil Air Patrol being used for a low level visual search are unable to do so as they've been unable to a visual on the ground. Search and rescue teams from El Dorado County Sheriff's Office are actively searching for the plane and pilot on the ground. Radar analysis and air forensics teams are still able to assist the ground search.

Emerald Fire burning near South Lake Tahoe consumes 210 acres, is now 80% contained

8:00AM update 10/15: Highway 89 remains closed in both directions from Fallen Leaf Lake Road to Emerald Bay due to the Emerald Fire which remains 80 percent contained this morning. Acreage burned is 210 acres.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

There are 3 engines and 12 firefighters still on the scene.

Opening time for Hwy 89 is still unclear. CHP estimates Saturday afternoon and Caltrans estimates the road will be closed until Monday. This is to allow crews to clean up the fallen trees and other debris on, and near, the roadway.

Two-vehicle injury crash closes Highway 50 at Echo Summit

5:15 p.m. update 10/3/16: A Carson City resident was transported to Barton Hospital after her Ford Bronco drifted into the oncoming traffic and crashed into a Jeep Wrangler.

Stephanie Peterson of Carson City was heading west on US50 near milepost marker 67 with her infant son in the car. According to the California Highway Patrol's preliminary investigation, she was also operating her cellular phone as she headed up Echo Summit in snowy conditions. She made an unsafe turning movement and allowed her Bronco to drift.

Heading east at the time was Jonathan Chacon of Mammoth Lakes.

Reminder: Annual Firefest venue and activities have changed!

Due to a venue conflict, the 2016 FireFest will be held at Hard Rock Casino Lake Tahoe on Saturday, September 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The free event is open to the public.

Man arrested after leading officers on high speed chase from Tahoe to West Slope

A high speed pursuit that started near Sierra-at-Tahoe on Wednesday ended with the suspect crashing his 2006 BMW and being airflighted off the highway due to his injuries.

On September 7, a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer spotted 27-year-old Allen Elseth from Lodi, Calif., driving at high rates of speed and crossing over the double-yellow lines on Highway 50 near the ski resort exit.

Avoid the 6 anti-DUI campaign nets 55 offenders over holiday weekend

South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County police, deputies and CHP officers from the west and east slopes of the county joined together over the holiday weekend to participate in "Avoid the 6," a zero tolerance for impaired driving campaign. Their efforts netted 55 offenders for the deadly drime.

There were roving DUI saturation patrols to find the impaired drivers.

Body of missing Gardnerville woman found near old Kingsbury Grade

The body of a missing Gardnerville woman was found by searchers on Sunday near old Kingsbury Grade. At 10:00 a.m. a bicyclist on the road spotted her abandoned pickup truck with the passenger side door open and called authorities.

Randi Maclean, 51, was found down a steep canyon after Douglas County Sheriff's Office Deputies and Search and Rescue team members combed Daggett Creek and the surrounding area for several hours. A helicopter from the California Highway Patrol that was near the area at the time of the initial call joined in the search but was unable to locate Maclean.

SLTPD to step up pedestrian safety enforcement

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) will step up their pedestrian safety enforcement operations during the month of September as part of “California Pedestrian Safety Month.”

With a rapidly increasing number of pedestrians being killed and injured on roadways in the state of California, the Senate passed a resolution to bring attention to the 813 pedestrians killed on California roadways in 2015 alone. This was nearly 25 percent of all roadways deaths in the state, up from 17 percent just ten years earlier.

Inmate charged with murder found dead in El Dorado County jail cell

A man who had been in custody at the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville since November has died.

Correctional officers found Dennis Renk, 39, unresponsive in his cell at 12:24 a.m. Saturday, August 27.

Renk was immediately treated by the officers and jail medical staff, then transferred into the care of El Dorado County Fire Paramedics and transported to Marshall Hospital. He was pronounced deceased by hospital staff at 4:13 p.m.

He had been in custody since November 6, 2015, when he was arrested on charges of homicide after an altercation in Camino, Calif.

Woman arrested, accused of starting 450-acre Willow Fire in Calaveras County

A woman driving on a country road on the rims of her car is suspected of starting multiple fires which make up the Willow Fire, a 450-acre fire currently burning in Calaveras County.

An investigation by peace officers with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Tuolumne – Calaveras Unit determined that Renee Hogan drove on a flat tire along Mountain Ranch Road, east of the town of San Andreas, when sparks created from the dragging metal rim started several fires in the surrounding vegetation.

Tahoe Rim Trail worker injured after serious fall

A worker on the Tahoe Rim Trail sustained serious injuries Thursday when he fell down a steep slope and landed on rocks near Heavenly Mountain Resort.

"The unidentified man was taken to the hospital with multiple traumatic injuries," Tahoe Douglas Fire Marshall Eric Guevin told South Tahoe Now. "He was with a snagged tree and thrown 40 feet down a 40 percent slope."

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.

The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at press time and the story will be updated when provided.

8/14

9:48 p.m. - Disorderly Conduct - Glen Eagles Rd - A 21-YEAR-OLD MALE SUBJECT WAS ARRESTED FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION

8/15

2:56 a.m. - Improper use of vehicle registration - Highway 50 - POSSIBLY ABANDONED VEHICLE DISPLAYED PLATES THAT DO NOT BELONG TO THE VEHICLE.

Pollock Pines man steals RV, leads police on high-speed chase

A Pollock Pines man stole a large motorhome from a dealership in Rancho Cordova Saturday morning and led authorities on a high-speed chase for more than 30 miles, California Highway Patrol officials said.

Paul Erik Nelson, 40, was arrested and charged with vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, parole violation, county probation violation and vandalism. He was booked into the El Dorado County jail. His bail has been set at $85,000.

Accident and fire keeping roads into South Lake Tahoe busy with backed up traffic

A fire just off of Cameron Park Drive is causing backups on Highway 50 in the eastbound lanes. So far, what we know is that several power poles in the Burdock Road area are on fire. El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies have blocked off traffic on Cameron Park Drive heading south to Burdock.

Highway 50 has resulting traffic, my according to CHP that is a result of people watching the flames and smoke which can be seen from the road.

Oregon man seriously injured when he collides with deer near Pickett's Junction

An Oregon man riding a 1978 BMW motorcycle was seriously injured Wednesday when he collided with a deer on State Route 89 near the intersection with State Route 88 in Alpine County.

Portland resident Rudolf Jung, 32, was riding with a group in the southbound lane just after noon when the deer ran directly in front of him. He was forced onto the dirt shoulder where he overtuned and was ejected.

Injured pelican helped by CHP near Truckee

Its not every day one sees a pelican in the back seat of a California Highway Patrol vehicle.

On Tuesday night, the CHP office in Truckee received reports of an injured pelican on I-80 westbound, west of Overland Trail. Upon arrival, CHP officers saw the troubled bird attempt to fly away, but instead landed directly next to the travel lanes of the freeway.

Accident closes Hwy 50 at Echo Summit

A three-car accident on Highway 50 near Frog Lake on lower Echo Summit caused both lanes of the road to be closed for almost two hours Tuesday afternoon.

At 3:37 p.m., the California Highway Patrol responded to the accident which resulted in extensive damage to all three cars involved in the head-on collision. They then issued an alert to cell phones in the area, warning of the road's closure.

CHP says there were mild to moderate injuries to the cars' occupants and at least one person was transported to Barton Hospital.

As of 5:15 p.m., both lanes of traffic reopened.

Placer County inmate escapes; Deputies find her "sunbathing" in river

A female inmate from Placer County enjoyed only about 50 minutes of freedom on Friday after she escaped a road work crew.

CHP child passenger safety seat check-up event

Event Date: 
July 16, 2016 (All day)

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) South Lake Tahoe office is conducting a car seat check-up event. The current law states child passengers must ride in either a car seat or booster seat until the age of eight years old and the only exception to the law is if the child is 4 feet 9 inches in height. Effective January 1, 2017, children under the age of 2 must ride rear-facing in an appropriate child safety seat.

Saturday crash sends one to hospital

One man was transported to Barton Hospital Saturday evening after a collision between his Kia and a van near the intersection of Black Bart Avenue and Martin Avenue in South Lake Tahoe.

According to CHP Officer Shannon Samas, the driver, a man about 40-years-old, was reported to be driving in and out of his lane when he and the van collided.

No names have been released, but Samas said the male had mild to moderate injuries and was transported.

No other details are known at the time and the details of the crash are under investigation.

Uber teams up with South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition, MADD and CHP to prevent holiday drunk driving

The California Highway Patrol and Uber are joining forces to promote awareness about safe, alternative transportation options to drunk driving during the July 4 holiday weekend.

This holiday is one of the deadliest for drunk driving crashes. South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has partnered with Uber to prevent drunk driving in South Lake Tahoe.

Uber reached out to the nonprofits to make sure that Tahoe is safe, and to do so they are trying to get as many of their drivers out on the road as possible.

Wildfire closes Hwy 395 at Lee Vining

9:30 a.m. update 6/26: Firefighters have gained some control of the Marina Fire burning near Mono Lake and the town of Lee Vining. The 758 acre fire is 30 percent contained.

Highway 395 is closed at the town of Lee Vining on the south at the turnoff for Hawthorne, NV (Highway 167) on the north. However, California Highway Patrol is conducting one-way traffic escorts as conditions allow. Mono County Sheriff and Caltrans District 9 have worked tirelessly with CHP to implement this escort.

Local CHP officers invite public to have "Coffee with a Cop"

Event Date: 
June 24, 2016 - 9:00am

Many people find law enforcement officers intimidating and unapproachable, so the South Lake Tahoe CHP office is holding "Coffee with a Cop" on Friday, June 24 starting at 9:00 a.m. at Alpina Coffee Cafe on Emerald Bay Road.

All community members are invited to stop by and chat, discuss community issues, have coffee, and build relationships.

Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the Department’s work in El Dorado County’s neighborhoods.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county.

The following are calls that only pertain to the South Shore. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at press time and the story will be updated when provided.

6/4

6:31 a.m. - Arrest for stored property on Montreal Rd - A 59-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS ARRESTED.

3:46 p.m. - Vague Threats - Al Tahoe Blvd - A 33-YEAR-OLD MALE INMATE ACCUSED ANOTHER INMATE, AGE 18, OF MAKING THREATS.

DUI checkpoint in South Lake Tahoe Friday

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint on Friday night, but they will not be releasing the location until just before it starts at 9:00 p.m.

They will begin setting up at 8:00 p.m. somewhere in the eastern portion of the lake side of El Dorado County and run it until 2:00 p.m.

Two Reno teens die in single vehicle crash near Northstar

The California Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation of a crash near Lake Tahoe on Friday night that has killed two teens from Reno. Two more are still hospitalized with major injuries.

According the the CHP, at about 8:30 p.m. June 3, a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 15-year-old Gregorio Martinez-Reyes made an unsafe turn and left State Route 267 near Northstar Drive, flipped an unknown number of times and came to rest in a field.

Active shooter drill near Barton Hospital on Thursday

The California Highway Patrol office in South Lake Tahoe is informing the public that they will be having an "Active Shooter Drill" on Thursday, June 2 at one of the Barton facilities near the hospital.

This is a dramatization involving law enforcement and may look very real to the public. CHP would like the public to tell their friends and neighbors, and anyone who might be in the area on Thursday, about the drill and not to be alarmed. Weapon simulators will be used in place of actual weapons, therefore giving the drill the appearance of an actual active shooter event.

Search for missing Cameron Park teen suspended due to high water

A Cameron Park teenager is still missing in the Bucks Bar area, near the North Fork of the Cosumnes River. On Saturday, May 29 at 12:08 p.m., the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office received a call of the missing 15-year-old who was hiking in the area with family and became separated from the group and was last seen near the river.

CHP looking for South Lake Tahoe area Senior Volunteers and Explorers

Volunteers are needed by the California Highway Patrol for two of their programs on the South Shore, Senior Volunteers and Explorers.

The Senior Volunteer Program provides senior adult men and women the opportunity to
volunteer their time to assist CHP employees in the performance of their duties.
This assistance enhances the Department’s ability to provide safety, service, and security for all Californians.

CHP hold bike rodeos for local school kids

Officer Ruth Loehr and other officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) office in South Lake Tahoe conducted a bike rodeo for the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at Sierra House Elementary Monday, the first of three they are holding at local schools this week.

All students who participated had to go through a maze of stop signs and cones, all while following the rules for bicyclists, including wearing a helmet.

Reno man dies in Echo Summit motorcycle accident

There were two motorcycle accidents over the weekend on the same stretch of Highway 50 near Twin Bridges, resulting in fatality and another person being injured.

On Saturday, May 14 at approximately 5:47 p.m., a 49-year-old Martin Gastanaga of Reno was riding his motorcycle eastbound when he, for unknown reasons, lost control of the bike on a curve, and was ejected.

The California Highway Patrol says the driver was traveling 50 mph just east of Twin Bridges.

Gastanaga died at the scene.

CHP reminds all to share responsibility during National Bike Safety Month

May is National Bike Safety Month, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reminding motorists and bicyclists to share responsibility for roadway safety. California’s weather allows bicyclists to enjoy riding many months throughout the year. Although bicycle safety should be practiced every day, the month of May has been set aside to draw awareness to how we can all help minimize bicycle injuries and deaths.

Officer hanging up her shield after 29 years with SLTPD

What does a police officer do after they retire?

Hunt for Bigfoot, of course.

That is what South Lake Tahoe Police Officer Donna Kingman said she'll be doing after hanging up her shield after 29 years of working in the community. Her official last day is April 30, but Thursday was her last shift working in uniform.

Of course, she won't be hunting for Bigfoot in cold, shaded areas as she'll be seeking sun and a life of being "footloose and fancy free."

El Dorado County Sheriff's deputy involved in three-car crash

Normally it is law enforcement that responds to vehicle crashes, but this time, it was an El Dorado County Sheriff's deputy who needed assistance.

Three cars were involved in the 6:30 p.m. accident on Monday, April 11, 2016 at the intersection of Lake Tahoe Blvd. and Tata Lane.

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