The crash occurred around 10 a.m. near Menke Ness Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Sonora, CA. – An 82-year-old woman from Beijing, China, died Sunday morning after the SUV she was in overturned on Highway 120 east of Sonora, authorities reported.
The crash occurred around 10 a.m. near Menke Ness Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A 2025 Jeep Compass was traveling eastbound behind a Caltrans vehicle, when the driver attempted to pass the Caltrans vehicle by using the westbound lane.
At that time, the Caltrans driver, 33-year-old Jesse Warren, turned left into a driveway.
The Jeep driver swerved to avoid impact, but ended up striking an embankment and flipping over.
The 82-year-old woman from Beijing was seated in the back seat of the Jeep and had her seatbelt on. She died at the scene of the crash.
The 51-year-old driver of the Jeep sustained minor injuries, and a 52-year-old passenger seated in the front seat of the Jeep suffered moderate injuries. Both were wearing their seat belts.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be contributing factors.
The crash remains under investigation.