Sacramento, CA – Fatal Three-Vehicle Crash on I-5 Near Natomas Claims One Life

Sacramento, CA (September 5, 2023) – A tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Labor Day morning, a fatal three-vehicle collision unfolded on Interstate 5 near Natomas, Sacramento. The victim, identified as 53-year-old Linda Marie Hufnagel, a Sacramento resident, lost her life in the accident.

The crash occurred at around 3 a.m. on Monday, September 4th, as Hufnagel was driving her Mazda southbound on I-5, near the Interstate 80 transition. For reasons yet unknown, she veered from her lane and collided with a U-Haul parked on the right shoulder due to a mechanical issue.

According to California Highway Patrol North Sacramento spokesman Officer Justin Fetterly, following the initial collision, the Mazda re-entered the roadway and became disabled, leading to a subsequent collision with a Toyota Tacoma.

Tragically, Linda Marie Hufnagel succumbed to her injuries. Her identity was confirmed by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office on Tuesday.

The U-Haul driver reported experiencing pain, while the Tacoma driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Both were promptly transported to a local hospital for medical attention.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the investigation into the accident’s cause was still underway, with authorities yet to determine whether alcohol played a role in the incident.

Our hearts go out to the victim’s family, and we extend our best wishes for a swift recovery to those injured in this unfortunate collision.