A driver lost his life in an explosion after his tanker overturned and immediately caught fire.
The unnamed driver was taking an exit ramp off Highway 99 in Atwater on Tuesday morning when the accident occurred. Initial reports from the California Highway Patrol indicate that the trucker was going too fast for the exit ramp, hit a concrete divider, and flipped his tanker on its side.
According to reports, when the truck hit, it was carrying around 9,000 gallons of gasoline and caught fire right away. Witnesses described a series of explosions, with some reports claiming that there were at least five. The driver didn’t make it out of the truck.
The accident happened in a populated area near restaurants and gas stations. The flames from the crash were so intense that nearby vehicles were scorched, trees were blackened, and restaurant signs about 100 feet in the air melted. Reports indicate that even the asphalt may need to be replaced.
In an interview with the Merced Sun-Star, a witness described the scene as “an ocean of fire that crashed in waves down the road.”
“I looked up and there was this fire like a wall and then we heard the explosion — the first explosion,” said the woman. “I’ve never seen fire move like that.”
Despite the size of the explosion, no one other than the driver was injured. Between 200 and 300 people were evacuated from the immediate area because of the fire and smoke.
Local authorities are worried that as much as 1,000 gallons of gasoline may have run into a storm gutter. If so, the fuel may be contaminating the local drinking water supply.
Source: atwaterPD, mercedsunstar, kcra, fox40, cbslocal, ktla
I hate to say this but many of these companies overwork their drivers illegally. 17 hour days common. Guy was probably exhausted.
My daughter works right there where it happened. I also know a fuel driver that knew him.
It’s not like he didn’t know his route.
I’m blaming our Government for this. Not regulating the entire picture in this industry. Shifting blame to drivers. I’m sure the Company he worked for, their shippers and receivers all have a hand in this tragic accident.
Just sayin….
That’s why E-logs are becoming mandatory in December 2017. Can’t beat the computer. You are absolutely right, the government is to blame for a lot of truck accidents. Reason is because the current rules force drivers to take unnecessary risks and drive like idiots. Some people have never heard of refusing to work tired or refusing to be forced to run illegally.
I will never do it, and if they try to force me I will tell them route me to the terminal I am done.
I had a problem with one of my trips and my fleet manager basically told me I didn’t plan correctly. I did plan correctly and I corrected her assessment of my failure. The 14 hour clock was ticking and once it starts it can’t be stopped just delayed by 8 in the sleeper. My point is being forced to do something is not an excuse, you can refuse and there is not a darn thing the company can do to the driver because there are things like Federal Law to protect. That’s why I make sure I don’t call, I make sure they send a QC message so I have it in writing plus its on my phone as well thanks to the mobile app.
There are so many possible reasons that this accident occurred . Until the investigation is complete it is too soon to pass judgment!
If anyone works 17 hours a day they are stupid. That did not cause this accident. Its your responsibility to stay safe and legal. If you flip a truck on a ramp on a dry sunny day, you did something wrong. No load or job is worth dieing for. Slow down, pay attention and do your job properly. 18 years and I have not flipped a truck on its side. It’s really not that hard.
Apparently Casey you have never hauled fuel before !!!!!
I drove past there just after they put the fire out…
Nothing left but frame and axles.
That off ramp is an at-grade ramp, no overpass, and is one of those that start out straight and then turn into a sudden sharp turn. In this case there were trees inside the curve, so you can’t even see the sharp corner until you are part way around it. Then it has a concrete curb and planter between the on and off ramps, so you can’t just go wide.
So if he didn’t know it was like that, and took the off ramp at a *normal* speed, he has no way out…
He messed up, but it was an easy place to mess up.
There is a saying in the trucking industry. You can take a ramp too slow your entire career. You can only take it too fast once. It is unfortunate and tragic but it is one more reason that everyone needs to slow down. There is no need to speed. Former safety director where I work had a saying: We don’t haul any loads that are too hot, that won’t cool off in a ditch.
One thing is for sure , excessive speed kills !!!
he couldn’t carry 9,000 gallons of gasoline. He would be grossly overweight. 8,500 is more accurate. Reporters, know nothing about big rigs. Too bad the driver didn’t make it out but most likely he didn’t suffer. When there is a fiery crash involving a big rig, the driver usually doesn’t make it. My thoughts go out to the family of the driver. May he rest in peace.