Three men were seriously injured Monday afternoon after being struck by a pickup truck while attempting to fix a tire chain along Highway 50 east of Johnson Pass, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Feb. 16 on westbound U.S. 50 in snowy conditions, CHP Officer Vega reported.
Authorities said a black Kia sedan was parked in a turnout east of Johnson Pass as the driver attempted to adjust a tire chain on the vehicle’s left front tire. Two bystanders stopped to assist, and all three men were standing near the left front of the Kia, working on the chain when the incident happened.
Investigators said a black Chevrolet Silverado traveling westbound toward Johnson Pass lost control on the snow-covered roadway. The truck crossed into the eastbound lane and crashed into the stopped Kia, striking the three pedestrians.
One of the men was thrown approximately 40 feet and came to rest on the right shoulder behind the Kia. The Chevy dragged the other two before bystanders, and Caltrans personnel were able to free them.
The injured pedestrians are a 23-year-old man from Concord, a 23-year-old man from San Jose, and a 22-year-old man from San Leandro. All suffered major injuries, requiring transport to Barton Memorial Hospital.
The driver of the Silverado, a 21-year-old man from Sacramento, sustained minor injuries and complained of shoulder pain. A 17-year-old passenger in the truck, also from Sacramento, reported chest pain and suffered minor injuries.
CHP officials said alcohol or drugs are not factors in the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.
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