Update: Fatal Crash On HWY 49 In the Mokelumne Hill Area
Update at 3:35 p.m.: First responders remain on the scene of a fatal solo-vehicle crash on Highway 49 in the Mokelumne Hill area at the bottom of the 13 curves area near Big Bar Road. The CHP reports that a big rig carrying raw sewage went off the highway around 1:15 p.m. trapping the driver inside. Once the wreckage was reached by emergency personnel, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. CHP spokesperson Toby Butzler details, “We’ve completely shut down the roadway [HWY 49] to facilitate the recovery of the occupant as well as the recovery of the vehicle and the clean up of the scene.” He added, “We expect the roadway [HWY 49] to be closed until at least eight o’clock tonight.”
Regarding the best detours, Butzler advises taking Highway 26 through West Point, Highway 12 through Wallace down to the Lockford area, or through Burson and Camache Parkway. He also cautions against taking back roads as they can be bumpy or even turn into dirt roads and become dangerous. An update will be provided as soon as new information comes into the newsroom.
Update at 2:45 p.m.: The CHP is reporting that it is a semi-truck carrying raw sewage that went off Highway 49 at the bottom of 13 curves in Mokelumne Hill and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. A hazmat crew is headed to the scene and traffic is backed up in both directions. Further details on the crash are below.
Original post at 2:10 p.m.: Mokelumne Hill, CA — First responders remain on the scene of a fatal solo-vehicle crash on Highway 49 in the Mokelumne Hill area.
The CHP reports that a truck went off the highway around 1:15 p.m. with one person pronounced dead at the scene. There is no word as to how many occupants may have been inside the truck. The collision is at the bottom of the 13 curves area near Big Bar Road, as noted in the map below.
A hazmat crew has been called to the scene but it is unclear as to what has spilled or is possibly leaking from the wreckage that is blocking the south lane of the highway with officers directing one-way traffic. There is plenty of activity in the area and the CHP is reporting that a tow crew is about a half-hour out from the site, so motorists may want to find an alternative route. An update will be provided as soon as new information comes into the newsroom.
