4-car accident sends 3 to hospital, closes Hwy. 50
Updated Aug. 14, 2010, 9:20am: The person flown to Renown Medical Center has been discharged from the hospital.
By Kathryn Reed
Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe was closed for a couple hours Wednesday afternoon after a suspected drunken driver caused a four-car accident that sent three people to the hospital.
Eric Acri, 50, of South Lake Tahoe was booked into Lake Tahoe Jail on suspicion of felony drunken driving after the 1:39pm accident near Lake Tahoe Pizza Company.
CalStar takes an accident victim from South Lake Tahoe to Reno on Aug. 11.
This was the second of what would become three DUI crashes in the city limits in 31 hours.
Debris was scattered across the highway between D and F streets, as metal was crunched, airbags deployed and the jaws of life used to extricate the most seriously injured person. CalStar crews landed in the middle of the highway to have a faster transport time to Renown Medical Center in Reno.
Names of the three injured people were not released, but witnesses said they believe they are South Lake Tahoe residents.
Acri was driving toward Lake Tahoe Airport when his vehicle sideswiped a Toyota, taking off the side mirror, according to South Lake Tahoe police Officer Jake Herminghaus. He then rear-ends a vehicle, which causes that truck to swerve and spin into oncoming traffic, T-boning a GMC Sierra, Herminghaus said.
It was the driver of the small truck that hit the GMC who was airlifted to Reno. First crews had to cut off the driver side door to reach him.
Bonita Christensen, who is staying at the Silver Shadows Motel, said she helped two women get out of the GMC.
“They said they saw the car come over the line and tried to dodge it,” Christensen said. “It was so loud and horrific. Dust was flying.”
The impact was so great the left rear tire was several feet from where the GMC stopped.
Traffic was diverted on Bonanza Avenue for a couple hours while investigators did their work and then the cleanup began.
After that accident, South Tahoe officers responded to a DUI crash at Alma Street and Sierra Boulevard at 5:11pm. Nicholas Dellavin, 27, of South Lake Tahoe was arrested on driving under the influence charges. There were no injuries in the two-car accident.
On Aug. 10 officers arrested Nicola Foster, 34, of South Lake Tahoe on DUI charges after she allegedly did serious damage to three parked cars and a mailbox on Ruby Way between Wildwood Avenue and Ski Run Boulevard.
A citizen cut-off the vehicle and then officers arrived.
“The crashes, they are once in a while. We get two or three DUI arrests every day, but not crashes,” Sgt. Jeff Reagan said.
Very fast posting of this situation.
I don’t know what to make of the fact that these were apparently all caused by locals.
Demon rum wrecks havoc again. It is time to ban alcohol, before more carnage, more vehicle accidents, more wife beatings, more homicides, and just plain more misery.
I hope everyone involved are OK .. Horrable
I was indoors at the corner of D St. and Hwy. 50 at the time of the accident but due to the constant traffic noise, didn’t hear it until the sirens and multiple police/ fire / ambulance crews started arriving on scene. Kae was there very quickly and I commented on her timely arrival. Her photos convey how horriffic this crash was. This stretch of 50 just seems to encourage people to speed and I see and hear this madness every day. The number of side streets and businesses along that stretch has cars constantly entering, leaving and merging. Add alcohol to the mix and it’s a wonder this doesn’t happen more often. People–SLOW DOWN & DON’T DRINK & DRIVE!
My heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery for those innocent victims of this crash and a good, long stay in prison for Mr. Acri. Really….driving drunk at 1:30 in the afternoon in a work truck. I’m sure there are plenty of qualified, responsible people who need work ….why does someone like this get the keys to a hefty work truck? Keep this guy off the streets for a good, long time!
Hi Kae, Might be time for another article about CalStar’s services and how inexpensive an individual, family or group membership is to make that helicopter ride practically free (instead of $25,000+). We never know when it may happen to us and CalStar is a great service to our area.
We were headed back to Sacramento from a wonderful stay at our beloved Lake Tahoe when we stopped off at the McDonald’s drive thru. We then heard all the sirens and saw the fire trucks, police cars, and then the helicopter circling by. We remarked how awesome all the support services swiftly acted. However, we weren’t sure where they were all headed until a few minutes later when we discovered the crash scene a few blocks ahead as we were headed toward Hwy. 50 to return home. We were able to pursue our return trip via Hwy. 50 as we were diverted through side street routes. Still, the accident has been on our minds and our thoughts and prayers of no fatalities. I just needed to check on-line to follow-up. We wish the best for all those involved in this incident and are angered by the drunk driver whom made the decision to get in his vehicle in the state he was in.
I just finished a three-minute process online to become a Calstar member. Great reminder Ms. Kolb and thank you.
I saw the accident after work. Horrible.. My heart goes out to all the familys. This is a tragic accident… I am Erics neighbor and can say he is a “good man” and this is a very unfortunate accident.
Very sad to hear of the accident. My heart and prayers go out to the victims and I wish them a speedy recovery.
My prayers also go out to the person who caused the accident, maybe it is time to get some help. Just be thankful you did not kill anyone. You have been a member of this community for a very long time and I am sure it is difficult for your family to have to go thru this, for they too are victims as a result of your choices.
My uncle was the victim flown to renown medical center his whole life is a mess, he has three children he has to take care of by himself he truly has a gaurdian angel, im discusted with the man who caused this accident i walk with my children across this street everyday. my uncle cant do anything himself right now and he is a good man and did not deserve this and i hope the girls are ok as well
That was my uncle as well, and the stupid drunk driver is a neighbor to my parents! He is a mean drunk and should be locked up for a very long time! Thank god my uncle and the others involved are alright! I agree, angie, he must have a wonerful gardian angel watching over him! mabe it’s our grandma! i would to think so! Our family is just so happy that he is alive! Thank to all the rescue workers involed!
I know the truth…