SACRAMENTO, CA - A wrong-way driver died in a two-car collision at Watt Avenue and Pope Avenue Thursday afternoon.
According to California Highway Patrol Officer Lizz Dutton, 81-year-old Fred Schwarz was driving a gold Mercedes on northbound Watt and trying to turn into a shopping center near the intersection of the two avenues. It appeared he thought he was in a turning lane when he was actually in a lane of oncoming traffic on southbound Watt.
Dutton said Schwarz tried to correct himself by beginning to turn toward the left. At that point, a 25-year woman driving her car on southbound Watt broadsided Schwarz's car on the passenger side.
Emergency responders tried to resuscitate Schwarz but were unsuccessful.
The woman was transported to an area hospital for pain, treated a released, Dutton said.
The number 2 and 3 lanes of southbound Watt were closed for the investigation and clearing of the two cars. The CHP says both vehicles had major damage.
Dutton said the crash was occurred at approximately 2:55 p.m.
News10/KXTV