CAMPTONVILLE, Calif. May 2, 2018 – At approximately 10:20 AM this (Wednesday) morning, Camptonville resident Zsophia Lighstep, 20, was driving a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder southbound on SR-49, south of Marysville Rd, driving alone.
At the same time, a female 17-year old driver from Grass Valley was driving northbound in a 2006 Toyota Scion, transporting two male passengers. Ms. Lighstep became distracted by a beverage in the center console and looked away from the roadway, causing the Nissan to cross into the northbound lane, directly into the path of the Toyota. The driver of the Toyota tried to avoid a collision by swerving to the left,but was struck on the right front of the vehicle. The Toyota went out of control and over the eastern road embankment, down approximately20 feet.
Ms. Lighstep was wearing a seatbelt and her vehicle remained on the roadway. She sustained minor-to-moderate injuries in the collision but refused medical treatment and transport. She was later released from the scene.
The driver of the Toyota was not wearing a seatbelt. She sustained suspected serious injuries in the collision and was ultimately transported by helicopter to the Sutter Roseville Medical Center. The front passenger was wearing a seatbelt, but unfortunately sustained fatal injuries in the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The other passenger, seated in the right rear, was not wearing a seatbelt and also sustained fatal injuries in the collision.
The CHP is handling the investigation. Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in this collision. The Yuba County Coroner is handling the notifications to next-of-kin.