OAKHURST – An accident involving three vehicles and a trailer blocked Highway 41 over Deadwood for over 30 minutes today.
Just before 1:30 p.m., Maxine Crossley, 83, of Ahwahnee, was northbound in an Acura MDX when she crossed several feet over the double yellow line, clipping off the mirror of a rental car, according to CHP.
The rented Nissan Pathfinder was driven by Frank Sakach, 54, of Stow, Ohio.
Crossley’s vehicle then continued on, striking a southbound Chevy Avalanche pulling a utility trailer, driver by James Ramos, 22, of Fresno, basically destroying the driver’s side and flattening or tearing off all the tires on that side of both the truck and trailer.
The Acura then slid sideways into a road sign, and came to rest blocking the northbound lane.
Initial reports were of a fire in one of the vehicles and someone pinned into their car, but there was no fire and no pin-in according to CHP.
Though the damage to the vehicles was substantial, the injuries were not major, said CHP at the scene.
Mr. Ramos suffered some pain and bruising and was transported by Sierra Ambulance to Community Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Crossley was taken to Kaiser, also with complaints of pain.
The roadway was reopened shortly after 2 p.m., and in the meantime, residents made use of Road 425B to detour around the wreck.
