COARSEGOLD — A crash involving four vehicles blocked Highway 41 this morning just south of Yosemite Springs Parkway.
At about 8:45 a.m., a 38-year-old Coarsegold woman was northbound on Highway 41 in a 2007 Toyota Prius, and had slowed to a stated speed of about 30 mph and signaled to turn left onto Road 207.
According to CHP at the scene, a 2016 Volkwagen Jetta that was right behind her also slowed and was struck from behind by a 2007 Mitzubishi Montero Sport, which was then struck by a 2004 Mercedes E320, which was traveling at a stated speed of 65 mph.
The Montero went out of control, spun out and hit the Prius before rolling onto the driver’s side, coming to rest in the northbound lane. Traffic was stopped in both directions, and debris was scattered across the entire roadway.
The Jetta, the Montero and the Mercedes all suffered major damage, but the Toyota was operable and was driven away.
CHP arrived at scene and pushed the damaged vehicles out of the roadway in order to get traffic moving.
The 73-year-old male driver of the Montero, a resident of Fresno, suffered minor injuries and was transported by ground ambulance to Clovis Community Hospital. No one else was reportedly injured.
According to CHP, drugs or alcohol were not a factor in the collision, and no one was texting and driving. This was just a matter of going too fast for the wet roads and not paying enough attention to what’s happening up ahead.
