Fatal Accident: Car Flips Off I-680 Near Willows Shopping Center

updated at 5:25 p.m. with ID of victim

A 45-year-old Amador County man was killed Tuesday afternoon after his car went off the Interstate 680 on-ramp near Willow Pass Road and flipped over.

At 12:56 p.m. Tuesday, the driver, Joseph Conway of Ione, appears to have lost control of the white van before striking a tree, a light pole and getting pinned by his own car, which landed sideways, said Sgt. Franco Dalao, of the California Highway Patrol. The van stopped short of the parking lot, which is next to the on-ramp.

Though it is not clear how and why the driver lost control, Sgt. Dalao said bad weather and speed were likely key factors. An investigation into the cause is under way, he added. Conway was the sole occupant of the van, CHP spokesman Officer John Fransen said.

The CHP, and ConFire personnel on scene all said they are "going from call to call," given the rainy weather and slippery roads. 

"This is a ... good reminder to slow down," said Dalao. "Even at slower speeds we need to be careful in bad weather."

The Willow Pass on-ramp was blocked because of the accident, and re-opened by 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Fransen said.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report

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