1 Dead, 2 Hurt In Highway 37 Crash Near Novato

NOVATO, CA – One person is dead and two others are injured after a crash involving at least four vehicles on eastbound Highway 37 near Novato Thursday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash happened around 3 p.m. just east of Atherton Avenue, CHP officials said. CHP officers, as well as personnel from the Novato Fire Protection District, the Marin County Sheriff's Office and the CHP's Golden Gate Division Air Operations responded to the scene.

Investigators determined that a Lexus sedan had come to a stop in the eastbound fast lane due to traffic when a Ford F-150 pickup truck approached. The Ford's driver saw the stopped traffic but couldn't brake in time and struck the Lexus on the rear right side, forcing the Lexus into two other vehicles, according to the CHP.

The collision blocked all lanes of traffic.

A passenger in the Lexus was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim's identity has not been released.

The driver of the Lexus was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries. A passenger from another involved vehicle was also taken to a hospital with minor injuries, CHP officials said.

The driver of the Ford was treated for injuries by paramedics at the scene.

The highway was closed for about two hours while officers investigated the incident, but the road has since reopened.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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