[Update: Confirmed Double Fatality] Major Collision Closes Highway 20 Near Colusa County Line
A major crash has closed a portion of Highway 20 near the Colusa County line following what appears to be a head-on collision involving at two SUVs. least one SUV and a big rig. The incident occurred just before 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, east of Walker Ridge Road near mile marker 44. CHP logs indicated parties were trapped and debris was scattered across the roadway.
Multiple tow trucks were requested for vehicles with major front-end damage. Emergency crews responded to assist those trapped, but the extent of injuries remains unknown.
A source tells Redheaded Blackbelt the crash may have been fatal. That report remains unconfirmed at this time.
CHP initially implemented one-way traffic control, but the severity of the collision led to a full closure. At this time, there is no estimated time of reopening.
For the latest road conditions, visit Caltrans QuickMap or use the QuickMap mobile app.
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
Update 5/22: The Williams office of CHP confirmed that, although the CHP log stated a big rig was involved in the collision, that was incorrect. The confirmed double fatality collision involved and older model Chevy Tahoe, and a Hyundai Tucson.
The article has been edited to reflect the vehicles involved and the stock photo was changed.
Redheaded Blackbelt has requested additional information and will update when details regarding this tragic collision become available.
Update: Two Dead in Wrong-Way Collision on State Route 20 Near Colusa County Line
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My husband was right behind the woman who was hit. The other driver crossed the road and he apparently did not make it. She has severe injuries including broken legs. She was seriously injured. I pray for her. I am thankful my husband wasn’t involved; it was very close.
I was behind your husband in the semi and did all I could do . I heard that the lady did not survive. I’m sorry for the loss of both lives This accident did not need to happen. This actually happened because of the driver in the Tahoe had been drinking and driving I know this because I was in the Tahoe with him. It smelled like beer, and there was an ice chest that had beers in it and open containers on the floor .. I have seen this before in my driving career once is too many . I will remember that day that minute that second in the back of my mind for the rest of my life as if it just happened. .. again I’m sorry for the loss of both lives ,
Mike, thank you for your help at the accident site. It is people like you that are willing to help others that makes me proud of you. I sure hope the memories of that day will soon fade into the sunset.
YOU KNEW HE WAS INTOXICATED?!?! And STILL let him drive???
He wasn’t riding with him…he was trying to get him out of the vehicle.
No I did not Never met the guy.
Oh, Mike – so sorry to hear that she passed. Breaks my heart. Drinking (or under the influence of drugs) and driving will forever be the one thing that makes me furious. It takes so many lives, needlessly.
Grateful for your help and sorry that you have to remember this. I just told my husband and he was so sorry she didn’t make it. I feel for her family. What a tragedy. I have driven that stretch many times from Ukiah and to where we live now, before we moved. I don’t like that stretch of road. Way too many accidents. RIP to the lives lost.
God bless you and your husband Dear!
The lady that passed away had a husband, and one daughter who is due to graduate from high school in about 10 days. She was such a ray of light, and very involved within her church. She will be dearly missed by so many people.
actually she had two daughters, one she took in when she was young and the other was her biological but she had two children. She was very loved by everyone including those in the church, she was my aunt and was always the first one wanting to help in anyway she could showing her love from Miles away. Now may she rest at peace with our lord and savior.
Mike,
I don’t see any mention of alcohol listed on the article. Was CHP notifed about it?
I didn’t smell alcohol and the cans I seen were not beer cans, they were Shasta cans and energy drink cans. i could be wrong, we all remember things different in a emergency situation.
It was a suburban and a car and there was at least 1 fatality, probably 2. It was horrific, we couldn’t get the driver out to start CPR … so sad. The driver of the other car was extricated after the fire department showed up with the jaws of life. CPR was then started but it didn’t look good.
Prayers to both families…
Prayers to you too, as well as the families. I know what’s it’s like to try and help save someone in that condition and be unable to.
Thank you, I really appreciate that.
I have no idea how first responders cope ?
Thank you, Sir ❤️🩹
It leaves a mark. PTSD is no joke.
Ron, thank you so very much for your help with the accident. Trying to get the driver out to start CPR and you can’t, breaks my heart. It is through the love and kindness such as yourself that make our world a better place. God bless you! May the decease(d) RIP. Such a waste of beautiful human life.
Thank you so much for your kind words.They mean a lot.
You mean a lot also Ron!
I agree with Martin. Thank you Ron.
To the person that gave me a red thumbs down, you are one heartless bastard for sure. Maybe one day you will be the trapped driver, and I bet you will beg for help!
Ron, thank you so much for your kindness and efforts. The lady was the worship leader at our church and was a amazing person filled with love and kindness. God Bless You
Thanks for the help Ron.
How is ‘big rig’ involved in this report? That term along with ‘semi’ is usually slang for tractor and semi-trailer combinations. Of course there are other combinations but a ‘suburban’ generally refers to a Chevrolet utility vehicle based on a pick-up truck frame and running gear. SUV is generic for sport utility vehicles which are generally 4-wheelers.
The initial CHP report that came out on their incident website said that the accident was at hwy 16 and there was a semi involved. Both of these was incorrect, but considering that there is very poor cell service in that area, they get what info. they can. This report was obviously based on the information from the CHP website. It has become difficult for the public to get real time accurate information on these kinds of things because the radio transmissions which were monitored by scanners, is now digitally encrypted, and cannot be monitored.
Unfortunately neither driver survived. I operate a tow truck and was dispatched to the scene. This was a grinding collision that was 100% avoidable. Please slow down folks, Hwy 20 is dangerous, and has the body count to prove it.
I am so sorry that you were called upon to witness the aftermath of this tragic accident. That must have been difficult, and it does sound horrific. And you are absolutely correct – Hwy. 20, particularly east of Hwy. 101, is a very dangerous road, and people driving it need to exercise great caution. The length of the road and wide open space tempts drivers to speed. Not worth it.
I dont know how first responders and tow truck drivers cope? I was just there trying to help the 2 in this accident and im having a hard time. Thank you for your service!!!!
Ron, I think after a few years it becomes a little easier for tow truck drivers and first responders to become immune to most accident scenes. I guess they have the ability to just file stuff away in the back of their minds.
Sorry you had to see that accident Sean. Highway 20 itself seems to be ok, but the drivers that don’t pay attention to their driving generally are the one who cause most of the accidents.
Did anyone see it take place? This accident fits the description of something that I’m looking into. Curious where this happened.
It was just east of the Cash creek rest area. I didn’t see it happen but i think i was there within 30 seconds of it happening.
It was truly a bad accident. One of the worst I have seen. I was one of the last two cars through, headed west. They were closing the highway as I passed by. It was very sobering as I continued on my drive back to Humboldt. I can not imaging being one of the first on the scene.
I believe that the woman is my relative whom we lost in an accident on Hwy 20 last night. The police notified family about 9:00 pm last night. It was tragic news. She was still so young. I loved her very much. As extended family, we still don’t know all the details but enough to know it’s very likely to have been the case. Thank you to each of you who tried to help her. As a young girl, she loved to come to my home and visit. My husband and I are ministers and we married her about 20 years ago. She’s resting in peace now.
You’re welcome. I’m so sorry for your loss…
So sorry, Marsha…it’s tragic. My husband has been thinking about her. He was directly behind her. It’s so scary. It could have been anyone, but God has chosen her to go home. Praying for her family and you.
Thank you, Deb. I know her immediate family will need a lot of strength to walk this journey. You’re right.
I can’t stop thinking about both drivers. Not being able to get the guy out of the suburban to start CPR has broke my heart.
I am so sorry for your loss. When my husband and I came upon it, there was one fire truck there. Several people were trying to help her. But it looked really bad. We were on vacation in California from Minnesota. Our trip driving back to Minnesota both of us spoke about the accident several times. It is something we will never forget.
So sorry you had to witness it…not something you can easily get out of your mind.