A woman was killed in a suspected hit-and-run crash early Monday in the El Dorado County community of Lotus, prompting a road closure and a search for the driver who fled the scene.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the collision occurred shortly before 3:30 a.m. Oct. 19 on Lotus Road near Coloma Road and State Route 49, close to Henningsen Lotus Park. The crash involved a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle, according to CHP incident information.
Driver reportedly fled after fatal collision
CHP officers searched for the suspected vehicle Monday morning, according to incident reports. Darrell Smith of The Sacramento Bee, reporting through AOL, identified the vehicle as a suspected SUV.
Authorities had not released the victim’s identity or additional details about the circumstances of the collision in the reports available Monday. Investigators had also not announced an arrest.
The investigation remains focused on determining how the collision occurred and identifying the driver who left the scene.
Lotus Road closed as authorities investigated
The crash prompted the closure of Lotus Road between Henningsen Lotus Park and Highway 49, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. An estimated reopening time was not immediately available in reporting from CBS Sacramento.
The closure affected a rural stretch of the county’s western slope near Lotus and Coloma, communities north of Placerville that draw residents and visitors to the South Fork American River corridor.
Drivers traveling through the area were advised to avoid the closed section and use alternate routes while authorities responded.
Investigation continues
The California Highway Patrol’s Placerville area office investigates traffic collisions throughout much of western El Dorado County, including incidents on state highways and county roads. The agency had not released further details about the victim or the suspected driver’s identity in the reports reviewed for this article.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information about the vehicle involved may contact the CHP Placerville area office at 530-748-2450.
