3 men struck, seriously hurt while fixing chains on snowy Hwy. 50 near Tahoe

Three men were seriously injured Sunday afternoon when a pickup truck lost control on snowy Highway 50 and struck them as they adjusted tire chains near Johnson Pass, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported about 12:45 p.m. just east of Johnson Pass amid the storm, CHP’s South Lake Tahoe office said. Conditions were hazardous: The National Weather Service reported nearby Echo Summit received 15 inches of snow in the 24-hour period ending at 8 a.m. Monday.

A 23-year-old Concord man had pulled his Kia into a turnout and was adjusting the vehicle’s tire chains. Two men — a 23-year-old from San Jose and a 23-year-old from San Leandro — stopped to help.

As they worked outside on the Kia’s front driver-side tire, a westbound Chevrolet Silverado lost control and crashed into the vehicle, CHP said. The impact threw one of the men about 40 feet. The other two were dragged by the pickup and later freed by motorists and a Caltrans crew, the CHP said.

All three men were taken to Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe for treatment, according to CHP.

The Silverado’s driver, a 21-year-old Sacramento man, and his 17-year-old passenger also reported pain following the crash, officers said.

The collision remains under investigation but no arrests were made. CHP said alcohol and drugs did not appear to be factors.