New Zealand man in NorCal drives on wrong side of highway, causes serious head-on collision

The James E. Roberts Memorial Bridge. The James E. Roberts Memorial Bridge. Photo: Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close New Zealand man in NorCal drives on wrong side of highway, causes serious head-on collision 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

A man from New Zealand caused a serious head-on collision on a road in Sonora (Tuolumne County) after driving on the wrong side of the road, the California Highway Patrol says.

According to a CHP report, 43-year-old James Sayer of New Zealand was driving on Highway 120 with two passengers, Helen Celia, 37, and Ethan Sayer, 3, when he collided with a local driver.

Sayer was attempting to re-enter the highway after stopping at the Don Pedro Lake Vista Point, but "is used to driving on the other side of the roadway" and mistakenly entered the wrong lane, the CHP said.

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The three New Zealanders continued to travel eastbound in the westbound lane until they approached the James E. Roberts Memorial Bridge.

There, Edward Kalen, 59, of Copperopolis, rounded a curve and "came into Sayer's view." Despite evasive actions from the two drivers, the cars collided head-on.

Kalen was "pinned into the driver's seat" and had to be rescued by fire personnel.

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All four individuals involved in the crash had to be flown to local hospitals for treatment.

The CHP does not suspect alcohol or drugs as a factor in the crash.