One driver dead and another injured in two-car crash in Sonora

One driver died and another was injured Friday morning, when two vehicles collided in the area of West Stockton Road and Highway 108.

The Sonora Police Department was investigating the fatal crash, which was reported about 8:30 a.m. Officer Scott Mallon said it appeared that speeding or reckless driving played a role.

Mallon said witnesses told police that the driver of a Nissan sedan was speeding and passing other vehicles over a double-yellow line in the road before the crash occurred.

The Nissan crashed with a small Ford van driven by a woman. Mallon said he did not have any information about the extent of her injuries. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

The man driving the Nissan was pronounced dead at the scene. Mallon said the man was not wearing a seat belt, and that he appeared to be in his early 20s. There was no further information available about the Nissan driver.

There were no passengers in either of the vehicles.

The California Highway Patrol and the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department assisted police by closing the area to keep traffic out as investigators worked at the scene. The area remained closed for about two hours.

There was no indication that inclement weather played a role in the crash. But the National Weather Service on Friday was warning drivers about another winter storm moving through the region this weekend.

Forecasters predict widespread rain for the valley and snow for the higher elevations through Saturday night. A winter weather advisory will be in effect above 6500 feet Friday then above 4000 feet Saturday night.

Forecasters warned drivers to expect mountain travel delays and chain controls, and drivers in the valley should encounter slick roads from showers.

This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 11:12 AM.