A second fatal accident on highway 49 occurred Friday night at Bell Road when one car hit another head on at about 5:10 p.m. CHP reported four vehicles were involved and all lanes of 49 were closed for a period. CHP Auburn said a 55-year-old female driver was driving southbound in a Lexus sedan that was missing a tire and the rim throwing sparks high into the air, when she swerved into the Northbound lanes and crashed head-on into another vehicle. The Lexus driver was ejected from her vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. A couple in one of the vehicles was trapped inside but removed by first responders and transported to the Roseville Sutter Hospital with unknown injuries. Wednesday, 21-year-old Auburn man, Tyler William Burke, was killed following a multicar collision on 49 near Cramer Road about two miles from the Friday accident.
KAHI COMMENT: The number of vehicles on highway 49 has increased multi times from just 2 or 3 years ago. The increase of speed over the last few months is also noticeable. Vehicles, trucks and cars alike speed in and out of lanes, tailgate with pressure of flashing lights and horn honking as the road rage temperaments seem to be increasing more and more as construction is causing backups. Highway 49, or Grass Valley is it is officially called by the Post office, has always been designated as a a Killer Highwaya from Grass Valley to I 80. This past week with two deaths and up to 8 or more vehicles involved in serious crashes, keeps the handle name intact. The question is, what are authorities doing about it? Speed should be a function of policing. Budgets keep that to a minimum. A Traffic Circles probably are not the answer. More lights probably are not, although we are getting one more traffic light system at Locksley Lane. Dropping the speed limit would probably be ignored and with less and less police control have little or no effect on the problem. KAHI is going to continue to observe and question authorities on this issue. Stay Tuned.