Two People Hospitalized After Car, Big Rig Collide on 5 Freeway near Sunset Hills Drive in Cottonwood

2 Injured in Cottonwood DUI Accident on 5 Freeway

Cottonwood, California: Two people were taken to the hospital after a suspected DUI collision involving a big rig that happened Thursday afternoon in Cottonwood, the California Highway Patrol said.

The accident transpired around 5:27 p.m. on 5 Freeway near Sunset Hills Drive.

According to investigators, 59-year-old Dawn Potterton, of Redding was behind the wheel of a 2014 Hyundai Sonata heading south on the freeway in the right-hand lane at about 25 mph. At the same time, 46-year-old Freddy Nsunzu, of West Chester, Ohio, was driving a 2023 Freightliner big rig hauling a fully loaded trailer between 55-60 mph.

Police said for an unknown reason, the big rig rear-ended the Sonata.

The impact sent both vehicles across the freeway’s left-hand lane, the median, and both northbound lanes, where the big rig overturned onto its passenger side.

The Sonata continued onto the freeway’s east shoulder and stopped on its wheels.

Emergency personnel transported Nsunzu to St. Elizabeth Community Hospital for treatment.

Potterton was also hospitalized for treatment. She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Investigators closed the freeway for several hours as they worked the scene.