California has again seen a number of truck accidents across the state this month, resulting in devastation for the victims involved. On April 12, a truck crash in Antioch sent three people to area hospitals. The next day in Tracy, a tractor-trailer driver from southern California was arrested on DUI charges after being involved in a serious head-on collision in Tracy. Most recently, a Crockett truck accident left a motorist dead. You can learn more about each of these tragic crashes below.
Crockett Truck Accident Kills Passenger Vehicle Driver, Others Injured
April 21, 2016
A Crockett truck accident between a cement truck and an ambulance kickstarted a subsequent crash on Interstate 80 early Thursday morning that left one driver dead. The initial crash was reported at around 3:30 a.m. on the eastbound side of I-80 near the Cummings Skyway onramp.
According to a California Highway Patrol officer at the scene of the Crockett truck accident, the initial crash happened when a UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital ambulance struck the back of a truck at a construction area near Carquinez Bridge.
The ambulance driver reportedly failed to see that the truck was stopped in the road. By the time the driver noticed the truck, it was too late, according to CHP Sergeant Jennifer Mapa, who told the media that the ambulance driver quickly swerved left, but could not avoid a collision.
Two paramedics in the ambulance were rushed to John Muir Medical Center with major injuries. No word on whether the truck driver sustained injuries in the initial Crockett truck accident.
As emergency crews were working to clear the first wreck, a big rig approaching the scene failed to recognize slowed traffic and plowed into two vehicles. According to NBC Bay Area, the driver of one of the vehicles—a Mazda passenger vehicle—was killed in the collision. The victim’s identity has not yet been released by authorities.
At this time, it is unclear whether the truck driver involved in the second crash will face charges for the Crockett truck accident. An investigation is ongoing.
Tractor-Trailer Driver Arrested on DUI Charges After Fatal Accident
April 13, 2016
A 33-year-old man from Rowland Heights lost his life on Wednesday, April 13 in an accident involving a truck driver suspected of operating his vehicle under the influence. The fatal accident happened just before 8:30 p.m. on the northbound Interstate 5, just south of Kasson Road in Tracy.
According to the California Highway Patrol, 43-year-old tractor-trailer driver Daniel Lee Matney of Los Angeles County was driving a 2005 Peterbilt tractor-trailer northbound on Interstate 5 in the left lane when he drifted across the median into southbound lanes. It was then that Matney’s truck slammed head-on into a 2000 Honda passenger vehicle driven by the Rowland Heights man.
The man in the Honda was thrown from his vehicle despite wearing a seatbelt, according to officials. The passenger vehicle immediately caught fire after impact. As for the Peterbilt truck, it continued across I-5 after impact, careening down an embankment before coming to rest in an orchard along the west side of the highway. The southbound side of I-5 remained closed for about 30 minutes after the crash until firefighters were able to put out the car fire.
Mr. Matney, who sustained minor injuries in the wreck, was arrested at the scene of the accident for driving under the influence and booked into San Joaquin County Jail. According to the Tracy Press, he is currently being held on $1.6 million bail, and faces charges that include vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence causing bodily injury and driving a commercial vehicle under the influence causing bodily injury.
Three People Hospitalized After Truck Accident in Antioch
April 12, 2016
An accident involving multiple passenger vehicles and a truck sent three people to area hospitals on Tuesday, April 12. The accident was reported just before 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of A Street and the State Highway 4 on-ramp in Antioch.
According to the Benicia Patch, the SUV collided with a utility truck and another vehicle. The driver of the SUV, a 35-year-old Antioch man, ended up pinned inside the car.
Antioch Mayor Wade Harper, who was passing by the scene of the accident, reportedly comforted the man in the SUV until emergency responders arrived at the scene. The injured man was taken to an area hospital. Two people in the utility truck were also hospitalized with minor injuries.
Local law enforcement officials said speed was likely a factor in the truck crash. They are still investigating whether or not drugs or alcohol was a factor. An investigation is still ongoing.
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