On Wednesday night, a tragic accident occurred in the Granite Bay area of Placer County. A car skidded off the road and hit a tree before bursting into flames, killing three passengers and injuring a driver.
Authorities identified the victims as Patrick Gainer, Paul Hammack and Karan Pannu. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office also identified the driver as Jerry Cepel, and it is believed that alcohol or drugs may have been a factor in the crash. This heartbreaking story has stunned many in the community and has caused an outpouring of grief among those who knew the victims.
How did Paul Hammack die? What was the cause of the Tragic Accident?
The Auburn Division of the California Highway Patrol reported the crash around 9:20 p.m., but investigations are continuing to determine exactly how it happened and whether other factors were at play. Unfortunately, all three passengers died at the scene while Cepel was transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center with serious injuries. Witnesses say that Cepel was able to get out of his vehicle before it caught fire, but unfortunately his passengers were not so lucky.
Since then, a memorial has been growing outside where this tragic accident occurred as friends and family gather to pay their respects for those lost in this terrible incident. Local media reports that many people were seen hugging and crying next to the roadside shrine dedicated to Gainer, Hammack and Pannu. It’s clear that this accident has left an indelible mark on those who knew them best as they deal with their sudden loss while trying to make sense of what happened that night on East Roseville Parkway.
Tributes to the death of Paul Hammack
scott swamp
Tonight I learned the most terrible and tragic news. My dear friend and frat brother, Paul Hammack, was one of the 4 people who died in the Granite Bay car crash on Wednesday night. Paul was a devoted husband and father and a very successful businessman in our area. We shared many good times together at UC Davis and have continued our friendship over the years here in Sacramento. We were supposed to play golf a few weeks ago but unfortunately we had to postpone it… I really wish I could have played that day. This photo is one of my favorites of the two of us… it’s from our fraternity constitution banquet. It was a proud night for us as the Delta Chi UC Davis Chapter was officially accepted as a full member into the national organization. Paul had been president and I was the current president. I will miss Paul very much.
RIP brother ❤️🙏
paul phillips
Brother this is the first thing I hear. Paul was a great guy, always there as a friend and countryman, always with a sense of humor, a keen mind for business and as proud of his family as he could be. So many Delta Chi memories surround him. What a tragic and deeply sad loss.
The power of Jennifer Eisenbeisz
So sorry! It’s so tragic. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
nancy butero
🙏🙏🙏
Pamela Van Mastrigt
😢😢This tragedy serves as a reminder of how fragile life can be when we least expect it, especially when it comes to dangerous driving behaviors like alcohol or drug use.
Our thoughts are with those affected by this devastating accident during these difficult times. We hope swift justice for the people lost in this tragedy so that their families, and our entire community, can find closure in due time after this horrific incident in Placer County. May the three victims rest in peace knowing that they will never be forgotten by those whose lives they touched during their brief time on earth.