A dash cam captured footage of a frightening and remarkably non-fatal accident in California. The truck crash in Colton has led to a hit-and-run investigation, the discovery of a stolen vehicle and an ongoing hunt for the driver who nearly killed another motorist. The shocking footage has kept the crash in the headlines, but it was only one of several accidents in the continuing trend of truck crashes across California.
Police Still Seeking Driver in Colton Hit-and-Run Truck Accident
August 11, 2017
Two passenger vehicles that were believed to be racing—at least one of them stolen—set off a chain-reaction crash that caused a BMW—which was not involved in the racing—to be pushed under a nearby semi-truck that was also traveling down the highway.
The crash occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on 10 Freeway in the westbound lanes, not far from Pepper Avenue. Madis Tolentino, the driver of the BMW involved in the accident, said that she noticed the Infiniti and another vehicle as she was driving.
“From my perspective, when I was seeing them both kind of trying to get to the first spot I guess, in my heart, I believe that they were racing,” Tolentino said in an interview with KTLA.
Tolentino was not the only one who noticed the Infiniti and the passenger vehicle it looked to be racing. Jose Rios has a dashcam inside his rear windshield to deter tailgating and saw that the two drivers were both speeding and weaving from lane to lane prior to the crash.
“This guy … has regards for nobody on the freeway,” Rios said. He and his girlfriend saw Tolentino get cut off and hit from the side by the Infiniti before she skidded under the semi-truck. They pulled over immediately to call 911 and assist Tolentino.
Miraculously, Tolentino suffered only minor injuries, despite underride truck accidents being among the deadliest.
Rios gave the disturbing footage of the crash to Tolentino’s family, and Alan Parcero, Tolentino’s son, posted it to his Facebook account so the public could help in the hunt for those responsible.
The unidentified Infiniti driver fled the scene following the accident and officials found the vehicle abandoned in San Bernardino later that day. The Infiniti had been reported stolen before the crash, and while California Highway Patrol (CHP) believe they know who was driving at the time of the Colton truck crash, they are still seeking the public’s help in locating the individual.
Those who witnessed the crash or who have information are asked to call CHPSB at 909-383-4247.
18-Year-Old Woman Killed in Bakersfield Truck Collision
August 14, 2017
One woman is dead and a man injured after a Bakersfield crash that continues the trend of fatal semi-truck crashes in California.
The crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. on District Boulevard. Police say speed was a factor. The driver of the silver passenger vehicle that hit the big rig was traveling at 70 miles per hour when the collision happened.
“Those speed limits are there for a reason,” Police Sgt. Don Cegielski said of the crash. “The reason is to keep you as a driver and your passenger safe.”
Witnesses say the semi-truck was in the intersection waiting for an opportunity to turn when the passenger vehicle quickly approached the semi, lost control and hit the truck’s trailer. The male driver was injured and a passenger, 18-year-old Hunter Jillian Fixion Maruo, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Semi-Truck Crashes and Catches Fire in Redding
August 20, 2017
A semi-truck driver was flown to U.C. Davis Burn Center in Sacramento after a crashing his big rig in Redding.
Fifty-seven-year-old Shingletown resident Jeffrey Smith was driving southbound on Interstate 5 when he went off the road, struck a guardrail and finally landed against a tree. CHP are uncertain as to what caused Smith to crash his truck.
Smith’s truck caught fire after the collision, resulting in severe burns to his face, torso and appendages, but he was able to escape from the semi before it was fully on fire. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, but all lanes of Southbound Interstate 5 were closed in the area while firefighters fought to control a small blaze started by the accident.
Truck Hauling Oil Starts Over 300 Acre Fire in Kern County
August 10, 2017
Southbound traffic on Interstate 5 in Lebec was limited to only one lane on Thursday, August 10, after a crash involving two tanker trucks.
Officials believe the rear tanker truck driver, who CHP say had an “unsafe speed for the slower moving vehicle ahead,” caused the crash. The CHP reports that the rear driver, an Oregon resident, hit the tanker truck in front of him while traveling at about 60 miles per hour. The front truck was traveling at 40 mph.
CHP officials revealed one of the drivers sustained major injuries in the truck crash, but have not confirmed which of the drivers it was or the names of those involved.
Reports indicate that one tanker truck was leaking hot, liquid asphalt immediately following the crash. One of the tanker trucks caught fire, which quickly spread to nearby grass. Officials have not said whether the fire and leaking material were from the same tanker truck or separate ones.
Fire from the crash spread quickly, burning 338 acres before crews were able to contain the blaze, which was nicknamed the “Rose Fire.” The southbound slow lane was still closed throughout the day on Friday, as cleanup efforts were underway.