On May 7, 2026, at approximately 11:17 a.m., the CHP dispatch center received reports of a head-on collision on State Route 70 east of State Route 49, in the community of Vinton.
A preliminary investigation determined that Danny Shaffer, 69, of Beckwourth, was driving a Ford F-150 westbound on SR-70. Trenton Schwier, 22, of Chilcoot, was driving a Ford Explorer eastbound with his family. Danny Price, 63, of Loyalton, was driving a Dodge Dart eastbound, directly behind Schwier’s vehicle.
For reasons still under investigation, Shaffer allowed his vehicle to cross into the eastbound lane, where it collided with Schwier’s vehicle. The impact caused the Explorer to spin and come to rest on the south dirt shoulder. Shaffer’s vehicle then continued into the path of Price’s Dodge Dart, resulting in a second collision that forced both vehicles onto the south dirt shoulder.
Shaffer exited his vehicle on his own and was transported by ground ambulance to Renown Regional Medical Center for treatment. Schwier and his family were not visibly injured and sought medical evaluation on their own as a precaution.
Price was trapped inside his vehicle and was extricated by fire personnel and CHP officers. He was transported by Care Flight to Renown Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Impairment is not suspected to be a factor in this collision. The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the CHP Quincy Area office at 530-283-1100.
The CHP thanks Eastern Plumas Health Care, United States Forest Service, Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District, Care Flight, Crescent Tow, and Plumas County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance at the scene.
