Three die in Highway 99 crash north of Sacramento that stalled traffic for hours, CHP says
Three people died after their car was rear-ended by a sport utility vehicle and large box truck on Highway 99 north of Sacramento on Wednesday, backing up northbound traffic as far south as Interstate 5 in North Natomas.
The fatal crash was reported about 2:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of Highway 99 just south of Elverta Road, according to a news release from the CHP North Sacramento Area. A silver Toyota Corolla, a black Mercury Mountaineer and a white Penske box-truck were involved in the crash.
A 67-year-old Antelope man was driving the Toyota, and a 68-year-old Sacramento man and a 62-year-old woman from Fiji were his passengers in the car, the CHP reported.
Investigating officers determined the Mercury SUV rear-ended the Toyota with a “glancing blow” in the right lane, said Officer A.J. McTaggart, a CHP North Sacramento Area spokesman. A 62-year-old Butte Valley woman was driving the Mercury.
After the initial crash, the Toyota remained in the lane and was rear-ended a second time by the box truck driven by a 74-year-old San Rafael man, McTaggart said. The Toyota’s driver and his two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities closed both traffic lanes, with one partially blocked as crews worked at the scene and investigated. That portion of the highway remained closed for about four hours, the CHP reported.
Caltrans traffic cameras showed northbound traffic was slow-moving on Interstate 5 at the Interstate 80 junction. The Caltrans cameras also showed northbound traffic even more congested on I-5 at Del Paso Road and almost at a standstill from Elkhorn Boulevard to the crash scene near Elverta Road.
Investigators have not determined the cause of the crash, but McTaggart said alcohol or drug intoxication was not suspected.
The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office will release the names of the people who died once their families have been properly notified.
Investigators asked anyone who witnessed this fatal crash or has additional information to call McTaggart at 916-348-2300.
This story was originally published April 28, 2021 at 4:30 PM.
