The California Highway Patrol was investigating a crash on Friday that briefly shut down Highway 50 in El Dorado County after a vehicle went off the road and crashed at the bottom of an embankment, leaving its driver and passenger with serious injuries.
The westbound lanes on Highway 50 were shut down for about 10 minutes for a medic helicopter to land and transport a male driver and a female passenger, said Officer Hugh Council of the CHP’s Placerville office. He said both occupants in the vehicle suffered serious injuries and were taken to a hospital.
The single-vehicle crash occurred on the highway’s westbound lanes near the Red Hawk Casino in Placerville. Caltrans photos show a white pickup was involved in Friday’s crash.
Council said the white vehicle went off Highway 50 and crashed down an embankment. After the helicopter took the two injured people to the hospital, he said one of the westbound lanes remained closed for about two hours as authorities pulled the crashed vehicle out of the embankment.
Shortly after 2 p.m. Friday, Caltrans officials announced all westbound lanes were again open to vehicle traffic.
Westbound US 50 in El Dorado County is now back OPEN after a crash that required a vehicle recovery and medevac helicopter landing on the highway. Thanks to all who assisted with this effort today. Please drive safely this holiday weekend! @CHPPlacerville @ElDoradoSheriff pic.twitter.com/YmTVIlCTH6
— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) April 3, 2026
Related Stories from Sacramento Bee
The Sacramento Bee
Rosalio Ahumada writes breaking news stories related to crime and public safety for The Sacramento Bee. He speaks Spanish fluently and has worked as a news reporter in the Central Valley since 2004.