El Dorado County, CA – On the late afternoon of Friday, August 22, 2025, a single-vehicle crash killed one person when a silver Toyota 4Runner left the roadway and struck a tree along U.S. Route 50 near Kyburz Drive, according to CHP Fatal.
The California Highway Patrol reports that, around 4:20 PM, witnesses reported that the SUV veered off the right-hand shoulder of the highway. Several vehicles immediately pulled over to the shoulder, and multiple onlookers tried to help. An off-duty Sacramento firefighter also stopped at the scene and assisted while emergency responders made their way to the location.
CHP officers arrived and found the 4Runner on its side, wrapped around a tree, with a flat tire noted near the point of impact. Traffic slowed in both directions as drivers passed the crash site, though officials confirmed that no secondary collisions took place.
Fire crews reached the scene quickly and confirmed that the driver of the SUV died as a result of the collision. Investigators worked to verify the license plate and vehicle identification while they documented the scene.
Officers with the California Highway Patrol continue to investigate the events that led to the crash. Investigators have not released the identity of the driver, pending notification of the family.
Single-Vehicle Collisions
In some cases, investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident, nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility. California’s Comparative Negligence rule means that, even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault, they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages.
