RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - One driver died and two others were injured in a three-vehicle collision on Jackson Highway between the South Gate and the Cosumnes River at about 4:27 p.m. May 14. Traffic was snarled for hours.

California Highway Patrol Officer Trent Senter reported that the crash occurred when an Acura RDX traveling westbound veered into the eastbound lane. It collided with an oncoming Toyota Corolla and then deflected into a head-on collision with a Toyota Tacoma pickup, which was directly behind the Corolla.

The Acura driver sustained fatal injuries, while the Corolla and the Tacoma drivers suffered minor to moderate injuries.

Senter reported that a 56-year-old man from West Sacramento was driving the Acura, a 41-year-old man from Pioneer was driving the Corolla and a 25-year-old man from Sutter Creek was driving the Tacoma. 

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office identified the fatality as Erik Casey Morris.

“Alcohol impairment is believed to be a factor in this collision,” Senter said.

The eastbound lane of Jackson Highway was blocked for approximately three hours while CHP officers conducted an investigation and cleanup crews cleared the roadway. The South Gate entrance was also blocked for some time, according to Nextdoor posts.