Truck Accidents 360 Newswire » Los Angeles Truck Accident Lawyers

Tanker Truck Explosion and Fire Shuts Down Busy Los Angeles Freeway

Truck360 Staff — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:16:43 +0000

MONTEBELLO, CA – A fuel tanker truck exploded and burst into flames, coming to rest under a freeway overpass on a busy Southern California freeway in Montebello, CA.

Billows of thick black smoke can be seen for miles from a fuel tanker explosion and fire that caused major structural damage to an overpass on the 60 Freeway in Montebello, CA.

Montebello is located in Los Angeles County, California in the southern part of the state about 20 miles southeast of Burbank, 16 miles southeast of Glendale and 10 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

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The incident began around noon on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 when a double tanker truck carrying 8,800 gallons of gasoline caught fire on the eastbound Pomona Freeway (the 60 Freeway), which is a major artery in Southern California.

The tanker stopped under the Paramount Bl. overpass and the big rig driver along with a passenger managed to get out of the truck in time without getting hurt.

Map showing location of fuel tanker explosion and fire in Montebello, CA on the Pomona Freeway (the 60 freeway) at the Paramount Bl exit and overpass.

Fortunately, neither the trucker nor any motorists or pedestrians were injured, but it was reported that a firefighter suffered a broken leg while fighting the blaze.

However, the incident did involve hazardous materials so a HazMat team was dispatched to monitor the situation. There were no evacuations ordered as a result of the hazardous materials.

The incident caused extensive structural damage to the overpass and a portion of it is scheduled for demolition. CalTrans, (the California Department of Transportation) is monitoring the situation and the demolition is slated to begin immediately. The repairs should be completed rapidly due to the traffic demands in the area.

The fire was so intense that the concrete from the overpass was popping off and crumbling away. In some of the aerial news footage, chunks of crumbled concrete could be seen blanketing the westbound traffic lanes.

Billows of thick black smoke from the blaze could be seen for miles, darkening the sky.

The biggest inconvenience will be to motorists who have to find alternate routes until the freeway is reopened.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time but is currently under investigation.

An article in the NBC Channel 4 website reported on the story. In the article CHP Officer Saul Gomez made some interesting observations:

We don’t know what caused this thing to spark up, but we can tell you that this is an extremely dangerous situation, … With these big rigs, anything can happen … Many times what we’ve seen is that they usually spark up from a brake problem, an electrical problem. It could be a myriad of things. At the moment we don’t have that information though.

Gomez’s remarks are telling. A passing motorist shot a video from his cell phone as he was traveling the opposite direction under the overpass. In the video one can see flames under the front tanker trailer developing around the left front tire of the dual axle in the rear of the tanker. It looks like the tire is completely on fire.

WATCH VIDEO – NOTICE THE FRONT TIRE OF THE DUAL AXLE OF THE FRONT TANKER

It took firefighters about two hours to extinguish the flames. The semi tractor and cab plus the front tanker trailer were completely consumed in the blaze. Hopefully, investigators will be able to sift throught the ashes and find the cause of the fire.

Burn injuries are very common in this type of situation and it was very fortunate that no one suffered any burn injury in this incident.

Truck Accidents 360 is a news blog that reports on up to date truck accidents, truck accident attorneys and legal news across the United States. Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, consult with truck accident lawyers who know the trucking laws for each state. Find information about Los Angeles truck accident lawyers.

Kingsburg, CA Driver Charged With DUI After Crash With Truck

Truck360 Staff — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:45:32 +0000

KINGSBURG, CA – A driver was charged with DUI after a crash with a pickup truck in Kingsburg, CA on Sunday, November 20, 2011.

Intersection facing east on Rose Ave. at Zediker in Kingsburg, CA where a DUI truck accident occurred on November 20, 2011. Stop sign is on Zediker.

Kingsburg is located in Fresno County, CA in the central part of the state, about 198 miles northwest of Los Angeles, 22 miles southeast of Fresno and about 6 miles southeast of Selma.

The accident occurred just after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at the intersection of Zediker and Rose in Kingsburg. A passenger car was traveling southbound on Zediker when it failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck on the passenger side of the car by a pickup truck moving eastbound on Rose.

Map showing location of truck accident on November 20, 2011 involving a driver charged with DUI in Kingsburg, CA on Zediker and Rose Avenue.

There was one occupant in the pickup truck and two occupants in the passenger car. All occupants were injured in the collision. The passenger of the car suffered major injuries. He is 21 years old and lives in Dinuba, CA, located about 11 miles northeast of Kingsburg.

Both the driver and the passenger of the car were transported to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno for treatment. The driver was treated for his injuries and then arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He is 19 years old and is a resident of Kingsburg.

The driver of the pickup truck, was reported to have suffered only minor injuries and was not taken to the hospital. The driver is 52 years old and lives in Selma, CA.

Truck Accidents 360 is a truck accident lawyer news blog that reports on up to date truck accidents, truck accident attorneys and legal news across the United States. California, due to its high population and vast highway system, has a high incident of 18 wheeler truck accidents. California metropolitan cities besides Los Angeles with a high incident of truck accidents and vehicle collision resulting in severe personal injuries, brain injuries and even death include Fresno, Kingsburg and Selma to name a few. Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, it is important to consult with truck accident lawyers who know the trucking laws for each state. Visit the Truck Accidents 360 directory to find out more information about Los Angeles truck accident lawyers.

Semi Truck Driver Convicted of Involuntary Manslaugter in Deadly LaCanada Flintridge Crash

Truck360 Staff — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:42:27 +0000

PASADENA, CA – Marcos Costa, the 18 wheeler truck driver who killed two people on Angeles Crest Highway in 2008, was convicted on Friday, July 29, of involuntary manslaughter by a Pasadena jury.

Marcos Costa, center, reacts in a Pasadena courtroom to being acquitted of second degree murder.… (POOL PHOTO BY Kirk McKoy/Los Angeles Times)

Costa was charged with second-degree murder, after his runaway 18 wheeler semi truck swerved out of control down Angeles Crest Highway killing 12-year-old Angelina Posca, and her 58-year-old father, Angel George Posca of Palmdale.

The victims were in a sedan that was struck by Costa’s truck when they were pushed along the roadway and struck by several other cars before the truck slammed into a bookstore.

The jurors previously told the court they were in agreement on some of the major allegations but were divided on others.

After a week of deliberations, Costa was acquitted of second-degree murder charges, but the jury decided to convict him of two lesser counts of involuntary manslaughter and three counts of reckless driving causing an injury.

Truck Accidents 360 is a truck accident lawyer news blog that reports on up to date truck accidents, truck accident attorneys and legal news across the United States. Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, it is important to consult with truck accident lawyers who know the trucking laws for each state. Find out more information about Los Angeles truck accident lawyers.

California, due to its high population and vast highway system, has a high incident of 18 wheeler truck accidents. California metropolitan cities besides Los Angeles with a high incident of truck accidents and vehicle collision resulting in severe personal injuries and even death include Mission Viejo, Moreno Valley, Mountain View, Newport Beach and Orange to name a few.

Woman Killed by Semi Truck Near Beverly Hills

Truck360 Staff — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:17:13 +0000

WEST LOS ANGELES, CA – Police are investigating a fatal semi truck accident that occurred on March 30 in West Los Angeles. The woman was killed when she was struck by a big rig while she was in a marked crosswalk at Santa Monica Blvd and Cotner Ave. West Los Angeles is located about 5 miles southwest of Beverly Hills.

Police and broadcast media reported that 63-year old Kelly Shimizu was in a marked crosswalk around 10:40 a.m when she was hit by a big rig that was turning from westbound Santa Monica Blvd onto the northbound 405 Freeway.

Shimizu was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 64-year-old truck driver, who has not been identified, did not stop. When the driver made a turn, one of the trailers attached to his 1990 Volvo tractor struck Shimizu. The truck driver has been identided asa resident of Whittier, California. The city of Whittier is located 12 miles southwest of Baldwin Park.

By law motorists are required to yield right-of-way to pedestrians walking in marked or unmarked crosswalks.

“Investigators do not believe there was any crime involved; there was no evidence of alcohol or drug intoxication,” LAPD said in a statement. “The collision appears to be a tragic accident.”

The incident remains under investigation.

Truck Accidents 360 is a truck accident attorney news blog that reports on up to date truck accidents and truck accident attorneys across the United States. Find information about Los Angeles truck accident lawyers and Beverly Hills truck accident lawyers

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Truck Driver Crashes Semi on Los Angeles 405 Freeway

Truck360 Staff — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:14:03 +0000

LOS ANGELES, CA – A truck driver suffered a medical emergency Wednesday afternoon, October 27, when he crashed his semi tanker on the 405 Freeway in West Los Angeles. The accident area is in the southwest section of the state. A number of other vehicles were involved in the truck accident as well.

On Wednesday afternoon 58 year old William Bradfield of Huntington Beach, CA was driving a semi tanker truck north on Interstate 405, also known as the San Diego Freeway. It is not known if the tanker section of the truck was filled at the time, or where the driver was headed.

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The truck accident occurred at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon as Mr. Bradfield was approaching the juncture with Santa Monica Boulevard. The area is in West Los Angeles, between the cities of Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. According to officials the driver suffered some kind of medical emergency and lost control of the semi tanker truck.

The tanker truck lurched forward in traffic striking several vehicles in its path. The semi truck accident would involve at least eight different vehicles including a pick-up and a U-Haul moving van.

There were many vehicles on the highway at the time of the truck accident, which happened just as the afternoon rush period was starting. Some drivers in front of the semi reported looking in their rear view mirrors and not seeing the truck driver behind the wheel of the out of control semi. It is assumed that the truck driver at that point may have been slumped over in his seat. Traffic was heavy at the time and drivers quickly maneuvered to get out of the way of the runaway tanker truck.

MAP

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The tanker then went onto the left shoulder next to the concrete center divider separating the interstate and skidded along the barrier before coming to a stop. Some witnesses to the multi vehicle truck accident credit the driver, Mr. Bradfield, with steering the tanker truck into the concrete center barrier to get the rig out of traffic and avoid hitting additional vehicles.

Several drivers who were involved or witnessed the truck accident got out of their vehicles and went over to the semi tanker. They realized that Mr. Bradfield was apparently in some kind of medical distress and helped get the truck driver out of the cab. At least one person performed CPR while they waited for help to arrive.

California Highway Patrol and LA County emergency personnel responded to the truck accident. The semi driver, Mr. Bradfield, was stabilized at the scene and then transported in an ambulance to UCLA-Ronald Reagan Medical Center in West Los Angeles. Doctors determined that he had suffered a heart attack and possibly lost consciousness while driving the 18 wheeler truck. Unfortunately, the heart attack proved fatal and the truck driver died at the hospital a short time later.

Paramedics also aided several of the drivers and passengers in the vehicles hit by the semi tanker. They received a range of injuries in the truck accident, from mild to moderate. Several were treated at the crash site and others were taken to the hospital for additional treatment. All the victims were expected to recover from their injuries.

The truck accident caused major delays as police shut down northbound lanes on the freeway to allow emergency vehicles to get closer to the scene. All lanes were reopened a short time after 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evening.

No charges are expected at this time. The truck accident is still under investigation and California Highway Patrol is asking for anyone who observed the incident or has additional information to come forward.

Truck Accidents 360 is a truck accident attorney directory that also reports on up to date truck accidents across the United States. Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, it is important to consult with an expert truck accident lawyer who knows the trucking laws for each state. Find information about Los Angeles truck accident lawyers.

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Sunland, CA Semi Truck Accident on 210 Fwy – 3 Die in Burning SUV – Video

Truck360 Staff — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:16:41 +0000

SUNLAND, CA – A couple and boy were killed early Sunday morning just after 5:00 am on the westbound 210 freeway in Los Angeles County just before the Sunland Blvd exit when an SUV crashed into the rear of a semi truck that was legally parked on the shoulder of the road. Two other children survived when they were pulled from the SUV by a passerby.

Burned out SUV on the 210 Freeway involved in fiery crash in Sunland, CA

The couple who were killed in the accident were described as a man and woman in their 40s. The boy who died was believed to be 14 years old. A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman said that an 11-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl were dragged from the back of the burning SUV by man described as a passing “good Samaritan.”

The SUV, was pulling a trailer carrying recreational vehicles (bicycles and other toys). The burned bodies of a man, woman and a teenage boy were found in the SUV.

Location of fatal semi truck accident on the 210 Freeway in Sunland, CA

The big rig was carrying a load of lettuce. Sgt Gus Torres of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said that preliminary indications are that the big rig driver was stopped fully on the right shoulder … “For what reasons we still don’t know.” Sgt Torres went on to say that the right shoulders are typically designated for emergency stops.

The side of the road, especially between the La Tuna Canyon and Sunland exits on the 210 freeway, are known as places where truckers stop – especially at night to rest, but it’s only supposed to be for emergencies. Why the lettuce truck stopped remains under investigation.

The big rig semi truck was parked well inside the shoulder. What made the SUV veer off the road remains a mystery. Since that driver is dead it leaves investigators piecing together information from witnesses and the two young survivors who are at Children’s Hospital and who are expected to make it.

Below is a Google street view of the section of the 210 freeway where the accident occurred. You can click the mouse and drag it to pan around the scene of the accident.

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If you need information about truck accident law pertaining to Los Angeles, California, talk to a Los Angeles truck accident attorney who is qualified to answer your questions. At TruckAccidents360.com, you can find a California truck accident lawyer who specializes in representing victims involved in tractor trailer, big rig truck injury accidents.

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Los Angeles County Judge Dismisses Murder Charges Against Semi Truck Driver

Truck360 Staff — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:20:44 +0000

PASADENA, CA – On Oct 9, 2009, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge dismissed murder charges against Marcos Costa, the 44 year old driver of a semi truck from Everett, Massachusetts who was involved in a tragic accident on April 1, 2009. In the semi truck accident, a 12-year-old girl and her father, Angel Posca, both of Palmdale, CA, were killed when the big rig crashed into their car. The semi truck came barreling down the hill on the Angeles Crest Highway striking their car, then continuing on through the Foothill Boulevard intersection in La Crescenta, Flintridge.

Marcos Costa in a Los Angeles County Courtroom

In the semi truck accident, the big rig’s brakes went out as Costa was coming down the Angeles Crest Highway approaching the intersection at Foothill Blvd. The big rig struck the vehicle carrying Posca and his daughter north of the intersection, then continued on down the hill colliding with several vehicles along the way. The truck came to a stop when it plowed into the Flintridge Bookstore.

Below you can see the skid marks from the semi truck skidding to a stop in the Flintridge Bookstore.

Scene of the truck accident where the skid marks end in the Flintridge Bookstore

Costa was originally charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter. Subsequently, a Los Angeles County grand jury returned an indictment of two counts of murder against him with additional charges of great bodily injury to be added to the vehicular manslaughter charges. Costa also had three counts of reckless driving, causing injury to three other victims.

Costa is being held in custody on $600,000 bail. Even though the murder charges have been dismissed, he still faces five charges of vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving. Costa’s attorney, Steve Meister, said “This case was a tragic accident, not a murder.” If convicted, he faces more than eight years in prison.

In response to the tragic April 1st semi truck accident, immediately afterwards a 90-day ban was instituted prohibiting five-axle trucks from traversing the steep Angeles Crest Highway between the 210 Freeway and the Angeles Forest Highway. The temporary ban was made permanent at a later time.

Below is a Google street view of the scene of the accident at the intersection of Angeles Crest Highway and Foothill Blvd. You can click and drag your mouse button and pan around and see the storefront of the Flintridge Bookstore where the semi truck came to a halt.

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Los Angeles truck accident lawyer for victims, Steve Gordon, talks about how How Bad Truck Brakes Cause Accidents. See video.

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