CHP says phone played role in Tuolumne crash that hurt 3

TUOLUMNE COUNTY -- Three people were injured after the California Highway Patrol said a driver looking at her cell phone rear-ended a car Saturday on Highway 120, causing a three-car crash.

The CHP said Moccasin resident James Atkins, 27, was taken to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto with major injuries. Hannah Herbert, 20, of San Francisco and Pamela Cassaretto, 41, of Groveland sustained minor to moderate injuries and were taken to Sonora Regional Medical Center.

The CHP said Cassaretto was driving west on Highway 120 and east of Highway 49 about 2:20 p.m.

Atkins was attempting to turn left from Highway 120 and onto Highway 49 when he spotted Cassaretto's car in his rearview mirror and saw she was not stopping or trying to drive around him.

Atkins drove forward to avoid her, but Cassaretto smashed into the rear of his car despite redirecting her attention to the road and slamming on her brakes, the CHP said.

Atkins' car flew into Highway 120's eastbound lane, where it was struck by Herbert's car.