Sutter County woman killed in car crash

A 22-year-old Sutter County woman was killed in a head-on collision that sent nine others to hospitals Saturday night.

The woman was driving east on Highway 20, between Drexler and Farmlan roads, east of Meridian, when she collided with a westbound van carrying at least nine people at about 8:10 p.m., said California Highway Patrol Officer D. Kirkpatrick.

Her passenger, a 21-year-old Yuba City man, sustained minor injuries in the crash in the westbound lane.

The van's passengers ranged in age from an infant about 8 months old to adults in their early 20s. Their injuries ranged from minor to broken bones and did not appear to be life-threatening, Kirkpatrick said.

The Ford E-150 van had no rear seats and all the passengers were sitting on the floor and without seatbelts, he said.

The infant was in a car seat but also not restrained.

Sneakers, shattered glass and twisted metal littered the grass bordering the highway.

The woman's identity was withheld pending notification of next of kin. The names of the other victims were not released either.

Four people were taken by helicopter to U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, one was flown to Enloe Medical Center in Chico, one was flown to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, one was taken to Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Sacramento and two others were taken by ambulance to Rideout Memorial Hospital, Kirkpatrick said.

It did not appear the woman was trying to pass at the time of the collision, Kirkpatrick said. Excessive speed may have been a factor. The posted speed limit is 55 mph.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor for the van's driver, but it is unknown if it was involved with the woman driving the car, he said.

Emergency personnel from throughout the area were on scene within about 10 minutes, including at least five fire engines, five ambulances and multiple law enforcement vehicles.

Dozens of people worked quickly to stabilize the victims and transport them into waiting helicopters or ambulances.

Traffic along Highway 20 was diverted in both directions for more than two hours, as personnel continued to clean up the scene.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Ashley Gebb at 749-4724 or agebb@appealdemocrat.com.