Grass Valley Station No. 1 firefighters Will Ray (left) and Ryan West inspect vehicles involved in a fatal collision on Highway 49 and La Barr Meadows Road Friday. (Photo by Dan Burkhart)

A 73-year-old woman died from injuries in a Highway 49 collision south of Grass Valley Friday that delayed the afternoon commute.

The Grass Valley resident went by ambulance to Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, where she was declared dead. The cause of death wasn't immediately known, and the California Highway Patrol delayed releasing her name in order to notify family members.

At about 3:45 p.m., the woman's 1989 Plymouth Reliant was struck broadside on the driver's side by a northbound 2003 Acura Legend as she tried to turn left from La Barr Meadows Road onto southbound Highway 49, CHP spokesman Troy Marks said.

Witnesses said the Acura was going 50 to 55 mph and was 50 to 70 feet from the intersection when the woman pulled out, according to Marks.

The Acura's driver, 24-year-old Zion Tout of Oroville, suffered cuts on his left wrist and right forearm, and his wife, Angela Tout, 24, complained of lower back pain, Marks said. Their son, 9-month-old Zion Tout Jr., wasn't hurt in his baby seat.

All three adults were wearing seat belts.

Traffic was delayed for about an hour, and southbound motorists were backed up to about McKnight Way in Grass Valley.

The Grass Valley woman was transported to Sutter Auburn Faith rather than Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, which is closer but was diverting patients at the time, according to the CHP.

SNMH administrative supervisor Catherine McGregor said the diversion was in effect between 2 and 5 p.m. because the emergency department was extremely busy.

The woman was transported to Sutter Auburn Faith in stable condition, according to McGregor. She said Zion and Angela Tout were under evaluation Friday night at Sierra Nevada, where they were treated because they got their own ride to the hospital.

The last fatal crash at 49 and La Barr Meadows was in February 2000. A 75-year-old resident of nearby Mountain Air Mobile Home Park died after pulling into traffic. Her accident sparked a call by park residents for more safety at the intersection.

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