GRANITE BAY, CA — A devastating single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning in Placer County has left two men dead, after a car lost control and slammed into a tree with such force that the vehicle split in half, authorities said.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 3:14 a.m. on Eureka Road in Granite Bay, according to a report from the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The vehicle, identified as a BMW, veered off the roadway before colliding with a tree in a violent impact that tore the car into two pieces.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, both the driver and the passenger, both adult males, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigations by CHP suggest high speed played a significant role in the deadly crash. In addition, officials suspect the driver may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident, though toxicology results are still pending.
The names of the victims have not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
Photos and footage from the crash site reveal a devastating aftermath, with debris scattered across the roadside and the wreckage of the BMW resting in two separate sections near the base of the tree. The force of the impact speaks to the high rate of speed at which the vehicle was traveling.
Authorities say the crash serves as a sobering reminder of the deadly consequences of impaired and reckless driving, especially during the early morning hours when visibility and road conditions can vary.
The CHP is continuing its investigation into the crash, and anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact the CHP Auburn Area Office.
As the community of Granite Bay processes this tragedy, local officials are urging drivers to slow down and never get behind the wheel while impaired. More details about the victims and potential memorial arrangements are expected to be released in the coming days.