Crash ends in Truckee River

An SUV rolled into the Truckee River after it collided with another vehicle on Highway 89 south, just south of West River Street on Monday afternoon.

A northbound sport utility vehicle pulled onto the shoulder approximately a quarter mile south of West River Street at about 1:40 p.m., then attempted to make a U-turn across traffic when it was struck by another northbound vehicle, rolling the first vehicle down the shoulder into the river, said California Highway Patrol Officer Steve Skeen.

The driver of the vehicle that ended up in the river sustained minor injuries, and the driver of the second vehicle was uninjured, Skeen said.

“The driver of the SUV was elderly and had some cuts and scrapes, but he was wearing a seat belt,” Skeen said.

Skeen said that even though the vehicle was only in about one foot of water, it was totaled and a dog in the vehicle was killed.

“This accident could have been a fatality,” he said.

CHP responded at about 1:45 p.m., and cleared the accident, towing the vehicle out of the river at about 2:45 p.m., Skeen said.