PLACER COUNTY – Highway 49 was closed near Auburn for most of the day due to a major crash that left a tractor-trailer driver dead Thursday morning.

The crash happened a little after 7 a.m. near Old Foresthill Road.

California Highway Patrol said a tractor-trailer hauling around 2,000 of gravel struck the hillside; the driver was pronounced dead at the scene, officers said. 

After speaking with witnesses, officers said the driver may have been experiencing a mechanical issue with the truck. 

Due to the crash and clean-up, Highway 49 was closed from Auburn to the community of Cool. No estimated time of reopening was given.

It wasn't until around 2 p.m. that Highway 49 was reopened. 

Authorities have not yet released the name of the driver who died.