EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. – A head-on collision on US50 between Whitehall and Sand Flat Campground Tuesday afternoon sent one man to the hospital, and another to jail.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to the emergency call at 4:28 p.m. on February 18. The incident is still under investigation, but at this time they know a Toyota Tacoma in the eastbound lane appears to have crossed over the center line into the path of a westbound Ford F-150.
The driver of the F-150 was transported to Marshall Hospital with lacerations.
The driver of the Tacoma, Michael Karl Smith, 59, was arrested on felony charges of DUI Alcohol Causing Bodily Injury, and DUI .08 Alcohol Causing Bodily Injury. Both charges carry a bail of $50,000 each. He has since bailed out of the El Dorado County Jail.
Both lanes of US50 were closed for about 30 minutes before the eastbound lane reopened to expedite the backed-up traffic and get tow trucks through. Both lanes were opened about one hour after the crash.
Both vehicles severely damaged.
Since the crash is still under investigation there is no further information available at this time.