EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2026) — A deadly collision on eastbound Highway 50 near El Dorado Hills on Tuesday afternoon claimed the life of one man and snarled afternoon commute traffic as authorities continued their investigation.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Placerville office responded around 3:25 p.m. after a black Nissan Titan pickup truck veered off the roadway on the Bass Lake Grade, east of Silva Valley Parkway, struck a guardrail, broke through it and plunged down a steep embankment, officials said.
The adult male driver, who was the sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene. CHP did not immediately release the victim’s identity, pending family notification. “We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased as we continue this investigation,” a CHP spokesman said in a statement.
As of late Tuesday afternoon, CHP reported that the far-right lane of eastbound Highway 50 remained closed for crash investigation, contributing to significant congestion in the area, with backups extending past Silva Valley Parkway.
CHP officials noted rainfall was impacting roadway conditions at the time of the crash and urged motorists to exercise caution in wet weather and in work zones. “Motorists in the area should remain patient and drive with caution given the conditions,” the CHP statement said.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the CHP Placerville office. Investigators continue to collect evidence, interview any witnesses and review roadway conditions to determine contributing factors.
