COARSEGOLD — A fatal, solo-vehicle traffic accident briefly closed Highway 41 in both directions Friday afternoon.
The accident occurred around 4 p.m. near Fast Tire south of Coarsegold.
The accident, which involved a Ford Taurus, briefly shut down traffic in both directions on Highway 41 and led to longer delays for southbound motorists as the scene was cleared by CHP officers.
CHP is reporting that a 70-year-old Coarsegold woman was driving south on Highway 41 when she lost control of the vehicle, hitting a bank off the southbound lane and then rolling several times before coming to rest in the northbound lane.
According to the initial report, the woman was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.
There is a still-unconfirmed report that the driver may have suffered a heart attack before the accident happened.
As of 5:30 p.m., traffic control remained in effect at the accident scene, with one lane currently open.
More details will be posted as they become available.
