The CHP has released details of a fatality accident on Highway 49 last evening. It happened around 6:10 PM. A 58 year old Terry Cordell of Newcastle was driving a Ford F-350 pickup truck northbound on SR-49 just north of Nishinam Gulch Rd . driving downhill toward the crossing of the South Yuba River. He was hauling a large, double-axle gooseneck trailer carrying a large construction tractor/backhoe. He was not licensed to drive a combination of vehicles of this weight and size. He had one passenger with him.

click to listen to CHP Officer Steele

32 year old Andrew Zwolinski of Nevada City was driving the opposite direction  in a Toyota 4 Runner.   Wesley Guthrie,32,  of Auburn was also driving southbound in a GMC pickup, directly behind  Zwolinski.

click to listen to CHP Officer Steele

The trailer and backhoe then continued on its course.

click to listen to CHP Officer Steele

CHP is handling the ongoing investigation. Cordell and his passenger were not injured. He was released from the scene but his vehicles and equipment were impounded for evidence and further examination. More information on possible charges in this case will be released as they become available. SR-49 was closed in both directions for approximately 5 hours.. during the investigation at the scene and the extensive operation to clear the roadway. Other agencies responding to this incident were the Nevada County Sheriff’s Department and Caltrans.