[04-17-2024] Nevada County, CA – 82-Year-Old Male Driver Killed Following Rear-End Collision Along Highway 20 in Penn Valley

An 82-year-old male driver was killed following a rear-end collision in Penn Valley, Nevada County, on Wednesday afternoon, April 17, 2024.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the fatal crash happened just before 1:30 p.m. along Highway 20, near the west side of Penn Valley Drive.

CHP said that the elderly driver from Smartsville was going along the highway inside a 2000 Toyota Corolla when a 1995 Dodge Ram pickup truck slowed down in front of him. Unable to stop the vehicle in time, the Toyota collided with the rear end of the Ram.

The 82-year-old driver was rushed to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital after sustaining critical injuries. About 30 minutes later, he was pronounced dead at the facility.

Officers stated that the pickup truck was being driven by a 17-year-old female when the accident occurred. According to her, she slowed down for an animal she saw on the road east of Chances R Road. She was reportedly not injured.

CHP believes that driver impairment is not a factor in the incident at this time. The true cause of the deadly crash is still under investigation