[02-07-2025] – Serious Crash on Highway 50 Injures One

South Lake Tahoe, CA – A significant collision on Highway 50 near South Lake Tahoe has left one person with serious injuries, according to reports from the California Highway Patrol.

The incident unfolded when 54-year-old Joseph Gonzales stopped his Nissan Rogue on the shoulder of Highway 50, just west of Slippery Ford Road. He parked there to adjust his tire chains due to the snowy conditions affecting the road. While Gonzales was tending to his vehicle, 18-year-old Roland Pierce drove into the area in a Subaru Impreza, going faster than was safe for the icy roads.

Unfortunately, Pierce lost control of his car, crashing into Gonzales. The impact sent Gonzales airborne, and he landed on his back in the roadway. Following that, Pierce’s vehicle collided with the rear corner of Gonzales’s Nissan Rogue before veering off to hit the guardrail.

Gonzales suffered significant injuries and was urgently transported to a nearby hospital for medical care. Additionally, two other passengers who were in the Nissan Rogue also sustained injuries and received treatment from emergency responders at the scene.

Fortunately, everyone involved in the crash remained at the site and cooperated with emergency personnel once they arrived. Authorities have indicated that impaired driving did not play a role in this unfortunate incident. The combination of slick roads and excessive speed appears to have been contributing factors.