A serious trucking accident that occurred at 10:12 a.m. on June 25, 2013, left twelve people injured, including a pregnant woman. An empty cement truck was entering the 605 Freeway near Irwindale, California at Arrow Highway in Baldwin Park. The truck was attempting to use the Live Oak Avenue on-ramp when it went down an embankment and then crossed all four lanes of traffic, colliding with a van, and striking the center divider. The van was traveling in the third lane, going 65 mph when it was struck by the truck, which was going approximately 20 mph.
Twelve people were transported to two local hospitals, Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center. Three of the individuals injured were reportedly in critical condition. The other nine had various injuries ranging from complaints of pain to broken bones. Furthermore, when the truck overturned, around 30 gallons of diesel fuel was spilled onto the highway. Three lanes of traffic were blocked for several hours. All four lanes were reopened by about 1 p.m.
According to Baldwin Park California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Rodrigo Jimenez, the cement truck was driven by Richard Banuelos, a 43-year-old resident of Pasadena. The van was driven by Diamond Sherman, a 56-year-old resident of Highland. Sherman was carrying nine passengers in his van, one of whom was a pregnant woman.
According to Officer Monica Posada with the CHP, the truck “veered to the left, crossed a dirt embankment and went onto the southbound freeway” for unknown reasons. The trucking accident is still under investigation. There is no word yet as to whether drugs or alcohol, improper vehicle maintenance, distracted driving, or fatigued driving were contributing factors in the accident.
Individuals who are injured in an accident with a semi or large truck should contact an attorney immediately who specializes in trucking accidents so that critical evidence and witness testimony can be gathered before it is lost. In many cases, injured individuals may be entitled to damages and/or compensation from the truck driver or trucking company.
