SHINGLE SPRINGS, El Dorado County, Calif., Oct. 13, 2026 — A single vehicle left the roadway and crashed near Mother Lode Drive and Buckeye Road early on Sunday morning, October 11, in a hit-and-run that reportedly left at least one person hurt, the California Highway Patrol said. The gray Lexus came to rest about 100 feet off the eastbound roadway, according to dispatch logs.
A passerby first reported a vehicle possibly stuck in a ditch off Mother Lode Drive around 7:58 a.m. Within minutes, a caller was overheard asking whether the people involved could get the vehicle out.
The CHP initially logged the crash as a hit-and-run with no injuries before updating it to a hit-and-run with injuries just after 8 a.m. The driver or driver's whereabouts were not described in available records, and no arrest or citation has been reported as of this writing.
A tow truck was requested to pull the vehicle from the scene, and eastbound lanes on Mother Lode Drive were blocked for 20 to 30 minutes during the recovery. The roadway reopened by midmorning, dispatch logs show.
The extent of the reported injuries has not been released. The crash remains under investigation.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
A Common Misconception About Hit-and-Run Crashes
Many people assume hit-and-run cases mostly involve drivers who flee after striking another car. In practice, the people most often left behind are not in vehicles at all.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 70 percent of people killed in hit-and-run crashes were pedestrians and bicyclists in 2023. That figure runs counter to the common picture of two cars colliding and one driver speeding off.
It also helps explain why hit-and-run cases are treated as urgent from the first call. Whether a crash involves a single vehicle off the road or a person on foot, investigators have to work quickly before evidence such as skid marks, paint transfer, or witness memory fades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
A large share occurs on local and rural roads rather than on interstates, often at intersections or at spots where a driver leaves the travel lane unexpectedly.
How can drivers reduce their crash risk?
Keeping full attention on the road, slowing on unfamiliar or poorly lit stretches, and never driving impaired are the basics that consistently reduce risk.
What injuries are most common in car accidents?
Head and neck injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries are common even in crashes that look survivable from the outside, so medical evaluation after any crash matters.
What are the most common causes of car accidents?
Distraction, speeding, impaired driving, and driver fatigue are cited most often, though a specific cause is not always determined right away.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Shingle Springs, CA
If you're involved in or witness a hit-and-run, try to get a description of the other vehicle, such as its color, make, or any partial plate number, without putting yourself at risk. Call 911 as soon as it's safe to do so.
Get checked by a medical professional even if injuries seem minor at first. Shock can mask pain, and some injuries don't show symptoms for hours or days.
Stay at the scene if you can safely do so, and cooperate with responding officers so they can accurately document the crash. Take photos of the scene, any visible damage, and road conditions if you're physically able. These details can matter later, even if they don't seem important in the moment.
