Fatal Collision At US-50 And Howe Ave.

A series of collisions at U.S. Highway 50 and Howe Ave. early Wednesday morning killed one and injured one.

The fatal two-vehicle collision, which took place on U.S. Highway 50 eastbound at Howe Ave., occurred at approximately 12:16 a.m. Another, separate collision involving a third vehicle also occurred.

In the collision that set off the series, a 2003 Ford Focus exited at the Howe Ave. off-ramp at an undetermined rate of speed and collided with a steel guard rail on the south shoulder, according to the California Highway Patrol. The force of the collision sent the vehicle into the fifth lane, where it came to rest facing oncoming traffic without its lights on.

The second vehicle, a 2005 Toyota Camry, entered the off-ramp and attempted braking to avoid impact with the Focus but broadsided the driver's door of the Focus. Both vehicles traveled eastbound before coming to rest at the south shoulder's guard rail. The Focus's engine was knocked out of the vehicle during the impact and came to rest in the fifth lane. 

The third vehicle, a 2001 Toyota Echo, then exited at Howe Ave. and collided with the Focus's engine but did not hit the other two vehicles.

The Focus driver, a 22-year-old Carmichael resident, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Camry driver complained of minor back and neck pain and was transported to UC Davis Medical Center. The Echo driver was uninjured.

All lanes on Highway 50 and Howe Ave. are open as of approximately 2 a.m. Wednesday.

All three collisions are being investigated as separate collisions, according to the CHP. It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs contributed to the initial collision.

- Capital Public Radio Staff