UPDATE (3: 00 p.m.) - CHP says 61-year-old Julie Ellen Walton of Cayucos was driving eastbound on SR-46 at about 55 mph Saturday morning.
According to a CHP report, Walton admitted to texting on her cellphone while driving and then drifted off the right-side of the road.
After crashing her 2019 Buick into an oak tree, her car caught on fire causing the tree to also catch fire according to officials.
CHP says Walton was able to free herself from the car before it was engulfed in flames, but did suffer major injuries.
No other vehicles were involved.
CHP is still investigating the incident.
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UPDATE (10: 25 a.m.) - CAL FIRE SLO says Highway 46 near Hidden Valley Ranch Rd. is back open.
HWY 46 is reopened near Hidden Valley Rd. #ValleyIC
— CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) January 11, 2020
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ORIGINAL STORY (10: 10 a.m.) - Emergency crews are responding to a single vehicle collision on Highway 46 in Paso Robles.
Officials have closed Highway 46 near Hidden Valley Ranch Rd. until the scene is cleared.
It is unknown how long the roads will be closed.
According to CAL FIRE SLO, crews got reports of a car versus tree around 9:30 a.m.
CAL FIRE SLO says one person suffered major injuries and has been transported to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center via ambulance.
It is unknown if any other people are involved.
CALFIRE, San Luis Obispo County Fire, Templeton Fire, SLO Co. Sheriff and CHP Units at scene of a single vehicle accident with fire. One patient being transported to the hospital. #ValleyIC
— CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) January 11, 2020
Traffic Collision
HWY 46 W & HIDDEN VALLEY RD, TEMPLETON, CAhttps://t.co/wIx4QHO2Uo pic.twitter.com/Zi0BNx1NrK
CAL FIRE SLO, Templeton Fire, CHP and the SLO County Sheriff's Office are all responding.
