Dutch Flat environmentalist and author Russell Towle has died after being pinned against his own car by another vehicle while stopped along Interstate 80.

The accident occurred just after 4 p.m. Thursday along the eastern end of the Yolo Causeway between West Sacramento and Davis.

Towle, 59, was well-known in Placer County environmental circles for his passion in preserving the North Fork of the American River canyon. An author of a history of Dutch Flat, Towle had lived in the mountain community east of Colfax since 1975.

Terry Davis, conservation director with the Mother Lode chapter of the Sierra Club, described Towle as a low-profile but tireless worker for saving trails and preserving the North Fork.

Towle, who wrote a book about Dutch Flat and kept up a respected blog about his trail experiences, was remembered Tuesday by Auburn State Recreation Area Canyon Keepers founder Jim Ferris as someone with an incredible enthusiasm for the relatively undisturbed North Fork canyon area.

“He knew a lot of things about a lot of things, and I’ve often thought it would be good to compile his writings into a book,” Ferris said.

Towle’s son, Greg, described his father as not only an environmentalist but a local historian, mathematician, hiker, linguist and geologist who would lead him on incredible hikes and tell memorable stories.

Woodland CHP Officer Phil Gruidl said Russell Towle was driving eastbound in a Subaru along Interstate 80, a half mile east of Enterprise Boulevard, when the vehicle apparently had some mechanical problems.

Russell Towle pulled over to the right-hand shoulder and his father, 81-year-old Dick Towle of Dutch Flat, who was driving in a truck accompanying his son, also pulled over, the highway patrol report said. The two had been traveling together in the two vehicles after picking up the car from another location, Gruidl said.

The report said the elder Towle lost sight of his son as he backed up and pinned Russell Towle between the two vehicles.

Russell Towle was taken to a nearby hospital where he died of injuries received in the accident, Gruidl said.

Arrangements for a memorial service for Russell Towle have yet to be finalized.

A native of Iowa, Russell Towle is survived by his wife, Gay Wiseman of Dutch Flat, a daughter, Janet Towle of Davis, a son, Greg Towle of Dutch Flat, a brother, Richard Towle of Alameda, sisters Shellie Archer of Ukiah and Karen Mingst of Rocklin, his father, Richard, stepmother Sally Towle of Dutch Flat, and his mother, Carol Towle of Grass Valley.

The Journal’s Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com.