Details emerge in fatal 7-vehicle crash on I-80 near Newcastle that shut down lanes for hours
PLACER COUNTY — The CHP has released more information about a deadly I-80 crash near Newcastle over the weekend that involved seven vehicles.
According to a CHP statement issued Monday, at around 12:12 p.m., a Dodge pickup truck was headed eastbound on I-80 east of Newcastle Road in the #2 lane when the driver allegedly made an unsafe lane change and caused the back of his truck to make contact with a bus in the #1 lane. As a result, the driver of the truck lost control and crashed into the center divider, flipped, and hit a Toyota Prius coming in the opposite direction on I-80. The impact with the Prius caused the vehicle to hit a red GMC 1500 also traveling westbound. The Dodge pickup then continued in a westerly direction where it then struck a Chevy Silverado, a black Kia, and a Toyota Rav 4.
The Dodge came to rest on its roof and its driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers of the other vehicles had minor injuries. The driver of the Chevy Silverado was transported for precautionary measures due to glass in his eyes.
The #1 lane of eastbound I-80 was closed for two hours, while all westbound lanes were closed for four hours.
At this time, the identity of the Dodge is unknown. The CHP has identified him only as a 61-year-old man from Meadow Vista. His identity is being withheld, pending notification of next of kin.
