Driver killed in Tuesday crash
EMERGENCY CREWS RESPOND to a two vehicle crash on Highway 50, east of Kyburz, Tuesday night. The semi's brakes failed and the driver collided with a pickup truck in the westbound lane. The driver of the big rig was pronounced dead on the scene while the truck's driver, El Dorado resident Mary Henschel, was taken to an area hospital with major injuries. Photos courtesy El Dorado County Fire
KYBURZ — A stretch of Highway 50 was closed for several hours Tuesday night after a two vehicle accident left one driver dead.
Authorities responded to Highway 50, east of Kyburz, shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday after a westbound tractor-trailer lost its brakes and collided with a pickup truck, said California Highway Patrol officer Dan Stark.
The driver of the semi, 42-year-old Mike Mathes of Missouri, apparently realized his brakes had failed and drove in both the eastbound and westbound lanes to avoid collisions.
But an oncoming vehicle headed east forced Mathes to swerve back into the westbound lane, where he hit the car of El Dorado resident Mary Henschel, 71, at a high rate of speed.
El Dorado County Fire Protection District Chief Mike Pott told the Mountain Democrat that both vehicles left the roadway and overturned after the impact.
Mathes was pronounced dead at the scene, while Henschel was airlifted to Sutter Roseville Medical Center with serious injuries. Her condition was not known as of press time.
Highway 50 was closed for nearly seven hours, finally reopening just before midnight.
Stark said the semi's diesel fuel tanks spilled into both lanes of the roadway and that emergency crews battled to keep it from contaminating the nearby river.
The big rig was also carrying limestone, which also spilled onto the highway.
El Dorado County Environmental Management personnel were able to keep the spillage from seeping into the river, according to Pott.
Responders to Tuesday's crash included two engines with El Dorado County Fire, a U.S. Forest Service engine, CHP officers, county Environmental Management and Medic 48 from Diamond Springs.
E-mail Jim Ratajczak at jratajczak@mtdemocrat.net or call 530-344-5069.
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Attorney Ledger Has Been Retained In Two Of California’s Highest Profile Trucking Accident Matters | Ledger « Fund Capital AmericaAugust 28, 2011 - 3:45 pm
[...] The second major trucking accident matter in which Attorney Emery Brett Ledger is seeking justice happened north of Sacramento on Highway 50 on July 12, 2011. Ledger & Associates client Mary Henschel was driving a Ford F150 pickup when she was struck by a big rig which had lost its brakes. 42-year-old Mike Mathes of Missouri, the driver of the 18-wheeler, was killed in the accident. Ms. Henschel was airlifted to the trauma center in Roseville after sustaining life threatening injuries. Further News [...]
Attorney Ledger Has Been Retained In Two Of California’s Highest Profile Trucking Accident Matters | Ledger | Fund Capital AmericaDecember 29, 2011 - 2:44 pm
[...] The second major trucking accident matter in which Attorney Emery Brett Ledger is seeking justice happened north of Sacramento on Highway 50 on July 12, 2011. Ledger & Associates client Mary Henschel was driving a Ford F150 pickup when she was struck by a big rig which had lost its brakes. 42-year-old Mike Mathes of Missouri, the driver of the 18-wheeler, was killed in the accident. Ms. Henschel was airlifted to the trauma center in Roseville after sustaining life threatening injuries. Further News [...]