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A Nevada City man who allegedly was under the influence caused a head-on collision just before noon Wednesday at Highway 49 south of Alta Sierra Drive that killed the other driver.
Ronald Lee Wood, 47, allegedly was driving a silver Toyota pickup south on Highway 49 at about 60 mph, said California Highway Patrol Officer Brant Hardin.
Witnesses behind the truck said Wood had been driving erratically since McKnight Way, weaving in and out of the lane and almost hitting the guard rail on numerous occasions.
“Right after the traffic light at Alta Sierra Drive, the truck veered over the double-yellow lines into the northbound No. 1 lane, colliding head-on with a white Ford Taurus traveling at 55 mph,” Hardin said.
One of the witnesses attempted to help the driver of the Taurus, who later was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver was identified as David Sevits, 64, of Grass Valley.
The accident blocked Highway 49 in both directions for about an hour, backing northbound traffic up as far as Lime Kiln Road and southbound traffic to La Barr Meadows Road.
Wood was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence, before being transported by helicopter to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. He allegedly had a broken right ankle and facial fractures. He is listed in serious condition, a hospital spokesperson said.
The day before the accident, Wood pleaded no contest in Nevada County Superior Court to one count of forcible sexual penetration with a foreign object. His sentencing was set for Feb. 22.
The sexual assault charge stemmed from a July 2008 arrest, after his 31-year-old wife complained about abusive behavior. He allegedly also struck and strangled her on several occasions.
Ronald Lee Wood, 47, allegedly was driving a silver Toyota pickup south on Highway 49 at about 60 mph, said California Highway Patrol Officer Brant Hardin.
Witnesses behind the truck said Wood had been driving erratically since McKnight Way, weaving in and out of the lane and almost hitting the guard rail on numerous occasions.
“Right after the traffic light at Alta Sierra Drive, the truck veered over the double-yellow lines into the northbound No. 1 lane, colliding head-on with a white Ford Taurus traveling at 55 mph,” Hardin said.
One of the witnesses attempted to help the driver of the Taurus, who later was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver was identified as David Sevits, 64, of Grass Valley.
The accident blocked Highway 49 in both directions for about an hour, backing northbound traffic up as far as Lime Kiln Road and southbound traffic to La Barr Meadows Road.
Wood was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence, before being transported by helicopter to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. He allegedly had a broken right ankle and facial fractures. He is listed in serious condition, a hospital spokesperson said.
The day before the accident, Wood pleaded no contest in Nevada County Superior Court to one count of forcible sexual penetration with a foreign object. His sentencing was set for Feb. 22.
The sexual assault charge stemmed from a July 2008 arrest, after his 31-year-old wife complained about abusive behavior. He allegedly also struck and strangled her on several occasions.
Earlier accident involved a motor scooter
An accident earlier Wednesday morning on Highway 49 at the Yuba County line sent a Tacoma, Wash., man to Sutter Roseville Medical Center.Wesley Clark, 56, was driving a motor scooter westbound on Oak Tree Road near Blue Sage Way when he drifted off the right shoulder and landed in a ditch, Hardin said. He apparently rode in the ditch for a while before falling off the scooter.
“There was no damage to the scooter, so there might have been a medical problem,” Hardin said.
CPR was performed at the scene before Clark was transported by helicopter to Roseville, where he was listed in critical condition.
To contact Staff Writer Liz Kellar, e-mail lkellar@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4229.
