Four car collision on SR89 sends three to hospital

Three people were injured after a head-on collision on State Route 89 near Cascade Estates on Saturday, May 13.

According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a Subaru WRX was being driven northbound on SR-89 near Cascade when the car overheated. The driver pulled to the right shoulder and called his father for assistance. The dad arrived in his Volkswagon Touareg and he parked on the right shoulder behind his son’s WRX, out of the traffic lanes with its hazard lights on.

Both the father and son were outside of their vehicles, standing next to the WRX and out of the lane when a northbound Hyundai traveling at an unknown speed approached where the pair was standing. As the Hyundai approached, a Toyota Tundra was being driven southbound and crossed the double yellow lines and the two vehicles collided head-on.

The collision caused the Tundra to roll onto its right side, blocking both lanes. The Hyundai was then pushed backwards and sideswiped the WRX. The WRX was then pushed backwards into the Touareg.

The witness following the Tundra told authorities it was not traveling at an excessive speed.

Besides the CHP, Lake Valley Fire, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue and El Dorado County Sheriff's Office all responded. The roadway was closed for approximately one hour for patient care and clean-up.

The CHP said on-scene initial injuries appeared minor/complaint of pain, resulting in three people being transported to Barton. Air transport was initially called but canceled when those injured were able to be transported by ground ambulance.