A Honda Civic (left) and pickup collided Thursday on Highway 49, killing the Honda's driver, a 16-year-old Grass Valley girl. (Photo by Eileen Joyce)

A 16-year-old Grass Valley girl died Thursday after her car collided with a pickup on Highway 49 near Alta Sierra, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The girl, whose identity wasn't immediately released, died at the scene after her Honda Civic was struck on the driver's side, buckling the car.

"We totally felt her heartbeat, and we were trying to keep her awake," said Roxanne Avila of Grass Valley, who stopped to help but didnąt witness the crash.

The crash occurred around 9 p.m. on the highway north of Quail Creek Road and delayed traffic for an hour and a half.

The pickup driver, a woman whose identity also wasn't released, went by helicopter to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. She showed some signs of consciousness, according to witnesses.

"She had her eyes open. I don't know that she was answering me. At least, I couldn't hear her," said Todd Manes of Grass Valley, who stopped to help.

It wasnąt immediately clear how the crash occurred.

"We don't have a whole lot of witnesses," said CHP Officer C.W. Garrison.

Avila, however, said the pickup driverąs sister was following the driver northbound in a different vehicle. Both vehicles in the crash came to rest in the northbound lane.

CHP, sheriff's officers, Nevada County Consolidated and Grass Valley firefighters responded, along with Sierra Nevada Ambulance and CALSTAR.

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