Peter Drainville, 33, killed, one other person taken to hospital, after a Jeep and pickup collide on Highway 20 near Penn Valley in Nevada County.

A Nevada City man died Tuesday night in a head-on crash on Highway 20 in the Penn Valley area. The collision occurred about 8:18 p.m. on Highway 20 near Pleasant Valley Road. California Highway Patrol spokesman Officer Greg Tassone said a 1995 Jeep Wrangler was eastbound on Highway 20 approaching a line of westbound vehicles, when the Jeep for unknown reasons drifted over the double yellow center lines. It sideswiped a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle, causing the driver of the Jeep to lose control of the vehicle. Tassone said the Jeep reportedly swerved to the right, back into the eastbound lane, then swerved to the left, crossing over the double yellow lines and colliding head-on with a 1999 Dodge 2500 pickup. All vehicles were traveling about 50 mph. The driver of the Jeep, identified by the CHP as 33-year-old Peter Drainville, was pronounced dead at the scene. Tassone said the occupants of the other vehicles suffered minor injuries. A passenger in the pickup was transported to Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville. Tassone said the drivers of the Chervrolet and the pickup complained of pain and were examined by paramedics as the scene, but declined to be transported to a hospital. The cause of the collision is under investigation.   How can a lawyer help with an auto accident claim? First, having a lawyer on your side levels the playing field.  The person who caused the accident is required to immediately turn the case over to his or her insurance company.  The insurance company uses adjusters and lawyers who are specifically trained to deny or reduce your claim.  This may include denying compensation to family members who are entitled to receive benefits for loss of companionship. Learn more here about what a lawyer does in auto accident cases.