Call for a free consultation

11
MAR
2013

Modesto: 3 Killed in Hwy 99 Truck Accident

Modesto Truck Accident Lawyers

A crushed Cadillac was all that was left after a big-rig rear-ended the car on Highway 99 near Modesto, killing three people. (Photos: Modesto Bee | modbee.com)

Triple-fatal truck accident: Three people were killed Monday when a big-rig rear-ended their car on Highway 99 in Ceres, about 5 miles south of Modesto.

•   Six men were in a disabled car on Highway 99 when they were struck from behind by a big-rig.

•   Three of the men in the back seat of the car were killed immediately.

•   The other three men in the car were hospitalized with serious injuries.

•   The truck driver was not hurt. 

The deadly highway accident occurred just before dawn, at about 6:20 a.m., according to a report in the Modesto Bee.

California Highway Patrol officer Chuck Leon said a southbound  Cadillac with six people inside was either traveling very slowly or stopped in the slow lane of Highway 99, possibly due to a flat tire, when the accident occurred.

A big-rig driven by 43-year-old Varinder Badial of Yuba City was traveling southbound at about 57 mph when it hit the Cadillac from behind.

The impact crushed the rear of the Cadillac, killing three men in the back seat. The men were identified as  Jose Jaime Botello-Herrera, Erasmo Tello Jaimes, and a third man whose name was withheld pending notification of his next of kin. The Bee reported that Botello-Herrera and the unidentified man were in their 20s, while Jaimes was in his early 50s.

A fourth man who was riding in the back seat, 18-year-old Bryan Aranda, survived but suffered serious head injuries. The driver of the car, 53-year-old Rogelio Reyes Leon, suffered major injuries, and the front seat passenger, 26-year-old Antonio Lopez, suffered moderate injuries. All three of the men were hospitalized.

All of the men in the car were migrant workers who were traveling to a local farm to install sprinklers, according to the Bee report.

The truck driver was not injured.

Leon said the CHP does not suspect that drugs, alcohol, or texting were involved in the accident.

Fresno Truck Accident Lawyers

  • Learn more about how Blackman Legal Group can help injured people and grieving families find financial recovery after catastrophic injuries caused by a defective product, defective safety device or defective auto part. Watch these videos:

Download FREE Blackman Legal Accident App

24
OCT
2012

Stockton: Big-Rig Causes Fatal Head-On Crash in Escalon

Stockton Truck Accident Lawyers

A woman died in a head-on big-rig crash near Stockton. (Photo: Fox40 News)

Fatal big-rig crash: A school official died Tuesday when an out-of-control semi truck veered into oncoming traffic and crashed into her car in Escalon, about 13 miles from Stockton.

 •   The rear tank of a empty double-tanker truck started to drift on a rural highway and the driver lost control.

•   The big-rig sideswiped an oncoming cattle truck and then slammed a Honda sedan head-on.

•   The driver of the Honda died on impact. No other injuries were reported.

•   Alcohol was not a factor in the accident, the CHP said.

The deadly accident occurred early Tuesday morning, according to an article in the Stockton Record.

The California Highway Patrol reported that a double-tanker truck — which usually carries water but was empty at the time — was traveling eastbound on Mariposa Road at about 55 mph at the time of the accident.

The CHP told KCRA News that the rear tanker started to drift and the driver lost control.

The big-rig sideswiped a westbound cattle truck, according to Fox40 News, and then veered directly into the oncoming traffic lane, where it crashed head-on into a westbound Honda sedan driven by 58-year-old Joan Lorraine Justice-Brown of Escalon.

The car was wedged underneath the big-rig. Justice-Brown, who was an educational specialist with the San Joaquin County Office of Education, died on impact.

The cattle truck driver and the big-rig driver were not injured, the CHP said.

Police do not yet know what caused the rear tanker to drift, but they said alcohol was not a factor. It was not raining, but the road may have been somewhat slick, the CHP said.

The accident is still under investigation.

Stockton Truck Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented the families of people killed in truck accidents for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

  • • Value: We offer discounted fees to callers who read our blog.

    • Experience: Our attorneys are top-ranked.

    • Consideration: We advance all expenses on cases. And we never charge a fee unless your case is successfully settled.

20
OCT
2012

Diamond Bar: 1 Killed, 3 Injured in Triple Big-Rig Crash on Hwy 60

Diamond Bar Truck Accident Lawyers

One person was killed in a crash with three big-rigs on Highway 60 in Diamond Bar. (Top photo: Glendora Patch | Bottom photo: ABC News)

Fatal big-rig crash: One person was killed and three others seriously injured Friday in a pileup involving three big-rigs and another truck on Highway 60 in Diamond Bar.

•   A box truck and a big-rig pulled over to the side of the freeway after a minor collision to exchange information.

•   Both drivers and two passengers were standing between he trucks when a third truck hauling bananas slammed into the parked big-rig from behind. 

•   Three of the four people standing between the trucks were crushed. One of them died at the scene and the other two were airlifted to hospitals in critical condition.

•   The banana truck overturned but the driver sustained only minor injuries.

The deadly freeway accident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. on the eastbound side of the freeway, west of Phillips Ranch Road, according to an Inland Valley Daily Bulletin report.

California Highway Patrol Officer Kerri Rivas said it started when a Ford F7000 box truck and a tractor trailer got into a minor collision and pulled over to the shoulder to exchange insurance information.

The driver of the box truck and his two passengers were standing between the two trucks with the big-rig driver. A third eastbound big-rig, which was hauling a load of bananas, rear-ended the parked tractor trailer.

The impact caused the parked tractor trailer to lurch forward about 15 feet, Rivas said. Three of the four people standing between the two trucks were crushed. The banana truck then careened to the left and overturned on the freeway, spilling fuel and boxes of fruit onto the roadway.

The box truck driver died at the scene, Rivas said. One of his passengers was able to jump out of the way, but the other one – 40-year-old Arnold Hutchinson of Mira Loma — suffered major injuries. Hutchinson was transported via ground ambulance to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and then airlifted via helicopter to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. He was listed in critical condition, Rivas said.

The driver of the parked big rig, 53-year-old Constantino Olmos of Riverside, also suffered catastrophic injuries. He was airlifted directly to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center, where he was in the intensive care unit. He also was listed in critical condition, Rivas said.

The driver of the banana truck, 23-year-old Emilio Alvarez of South Gate, sustained minor injuries. He was taken to San Dimas Community Hospital to be treated for complaints of pain, Rivas said.

The freeway was completely closed until two lanes were reopened shortly before 6 p.m., according to a Claremont/Laverne Patch news update.

“Anytime there is fatality, we have to do a long-term closure in order to conduct an extensive investigation,” CHP spokesman Vince Ramirez told the Los Angeles Times.

Diamond Bar Truck Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented truck accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

  • • Value: We offer discounted fees to callers who read our blog.

    • Experience: Our attorneys are top-ranked.

    • Consideration: We advance all expenses on cases. And we never charge a fee unless your case is successfully settled.

10
SEP
2012

Lemoore: Fiery Big-Rig Crash Kills Motorist on Hwy 41

Lemoore Truck Accident Lawyers

One person was killed and three others injured when a big-rig slammed into stopped cars on Highway 41 in Lemoore.

Fatal big-rig crash: A man was killed and three other people were injured Saturday when a semi truck plowed into a group of three cars stopped at a light on Highway 41 in Lemoore.

•   A truck failed to slow down at an intersection on a rural highway and plowed into a pickup truck stopped at a stoplight.

•   The truck burst into flames, trapping the driver inside. He died at the scene.

•   The fire spread to two other vehicles, which were forced by the impact into the intersection. One hit a streetlight and the other crashed into a power pole.

•   The drivers of those two cars suffered burn injuries.

The rural highway accident occurred at 7:54 a.m., according to a report in the Hanford Sentinel.

California Highway Patrol Officer Jerry Pierce said a southbound big-rig driven by 21-year-old Harpal Singh Sandhu of Clovis failed to slow down at Hanford-Armona road and slammed into a 1996 Chevy S-10 pickup truck.

The pickup truck immediately burst into flames and the driver, a 46-year-old man from Huron, was trapped inside the vehicle. He died at the scene.

The fire spread to the two vehicles in front of the pickup truck, both of which were launched into the intersection. One of the vehicles struck a streetlight and the other crashed into a power pole.

One of the motorists, 59-year-old Jack Leal of Lemoore, suffered burn injuries to his hair and face as well as lacerations to his nose and lip. Another motorist, 43-year-old Melissa Dodd of Riverdale, complained of pain to her neck and back.

The big-rig driver sustained burns on his left leg.

Officials closed the highway for several hours to clear the scene and conduct a preliminary investigation. This was the second time in two consecutive days that a big-rig failed to stop at an intersection and caused a fatal accident in the Hanford/Lemoore area.  (Read more: Hanford: Big-Rig Runs Stop Sign, Slams Car in Fatal Crash)

Lemoore Truck Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented the families of truck accident victims for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

  • • Value: We offer discounted fees to callers who read our blog.

    • Experience: Our attorneys are top-ranked.

    • Consideration: We advance all expenses on cases. And we never charge a fee unless your case is successfully settled.

20
AUG
2012

Modesto: Big-Rig Runs Red Light in Fatal Crash on Hwy 132

Modesto Truck Accident Lawyers

A big-rig ran a red light in Modesto and plowed into another vehicle, killing the driver.

Fatal big-rig crash: A Patterson man was killed Thursday evening when a big-rig ran a red light and crashed into his vehicle at the intersection of Hart Road and Highway 132 in Modesto.

•   A big-rig driver ran a red light and plowed into the driver’s side door of a pickup truck at 50 mph.

•   The impact slammed the pickup truck into a third vehicle.

•   The pickup truck driver died. The driver and passenger in the third vehicle were hospitalized with moderate injuries.

The rural highway crash occurred at 6:22 p.m., according to a report in the Modesto Bee.

California Highway Patrol officer Eric Parsons said 51-year-old Harjit Bassi of Turlock was driving a big-rig east on Highway 132 when he ran a red light at Hart Road at about 50 mph.

The big-rig crashed into the driver’s side door of a 2012 Dodge pickup truck driven by 51-year-old Neil Phillips Jr. of Patterson, according to a report in the Patterson Irrigator. The impact slammed the pickup into a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt that was stopped on the highway waiting to make a left turn onto Hart Road. The Cobalt was driven by 25-year-old Jose Rivera of Patterson.

Phillips suffered severe injuries and was transported by ground ambulance to Doctor’s Medical Center in Modesto, where he died.

Rivera and his passenger, 24-year-old Johana Machain of Patterson, suffered moderate injuries, according to the Bee. They were transported to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto to be treated.

Bassi was not injured.

Parsons said drugs and alcohol were not involved in the accident. Investigators will determine whether any charges will be filed against Bassi.

Modesto Truck Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented truck accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

  • • Value: We offer discounted fees to callers who read our blog.

    • Experience: Our attorneys are top-ranked.

    • Consideration: We advance all expenses on cases. And we never charge a fee unless your case is successfully settled.

24
JAN
2012

Big Bear: Woman Killed by Gravel Truck on Hwy 18

Big Bear Truck Accident Lawyers

A woman was killed when her car was hit by a gravel truck on Highway 18 in Big Bear.

A woman was killed in a truck accident Friday when her car was struck by a gravel box that came loose from a dump truck on Highway 18 in Big Bear, about 50 miles northeast of San Bernardino.

•   A woman and her daughter were driving downhill on a two-lane mountain highway in a small SUV.

•   A dump truck that was headed uphill drifted into the side of the mountain on a curve and the trailer came off.

•   The trailer bounced into oncoming traffic and crashed into the SUV.

•   The SUV driver died at a local hospital. Her daughter was airlifted to a different hospital with moderate injuries.

The fatal highway crash occurred at about 11 a.m., according to a Big Bear Grizzly report.

California Highway Patrol Officer Ben Baker said 37-year-old Leonor “Lily” De Coronado of Big Bear City was driving a White 2006 Kia Sorento downhill on State Route 18 at the time of the accident. Her 16 year-old-daughter, Roxana Fernandez, was riding in the passenger seat.

Big Bear Car Accident LawyersA Peterbilt dump truck — driven by 51-year-old Fred Riley of Minifee — was pulling a trailer with a gravel box attached. The truck, which was hauling a load of cinders, was traveling uphill when it approached a sweeping curve on the highway. The truck drifted onto the shoulder during the turn and hit the mountainside, causing the gravel box to detach from the trailer.

The gravel box toppled off of the trailer and tumbled onto the roadway, Baker said. The trailer separated from the truck and crossed into the oncoming traffic lane, bounced, and crashed into De Coronado’s vehicle.

De Coronado was rushed to Bear Valley Community Hospital, where she died shortly after noon. Her daughter was airlifted via helicopter to  Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda to be treated for moderate injuries.

Baker said truck had been inspected on Thursday. He said the accident remains under investigation.

Big Bear Truck Accident Lawyers

The trial attorneys at Blackman Legal Group, a California-based law firm founded by renowned trial attorney Clifford Blackman, have successfully represented truck accident victims and their families for 35 years. The nationwide toll-free number to call for a free consultation is 1-866-692-8126.

  • • Value: We offer discounted fees to callers who read our blog.

    • Experience: Our attorneys are top-ranked.

    • Consideration: We advance all expenses on cases. And we never charge a fee unless your case is successfully settled.