TRUCK DRIVER
DIES in Fire
After Colliding with
Freeway Signpost
I-10 in Fontana
As of the writing of this release, the
exact sequence of events and cause of the fire and collisions is still under
investigation by California Highway Patrol and San Bernardino County Coroner.
All aspects of driver identification are also still under investigation.
January 26, 2015, 3:00
A.M. ___ A refrigerated semi truck carrying frozen
chickens collided with a large freeway signpost early Monday morning, leading
to a fire that spread into the wash adjacent the Interstate-10 freeway and
leaving a large debris field across several lanes of traffic. The driver of the
semi died in the incident. Several other vehicles were ultimately involved, but
there were no other injuries reported and no persons were transported to the
hospital.
First-arriving
San
Bernardino County Fire crews from Battalion 1 in Fontana arrived shortly
after 3:00 A.M. to find the truck cab and part of the trailer already engulfed
in flames; the truck had split the guardrail and crashed into the large diameter
Citrus Avenue exit signpost.
Just
ahead of the fire, a freeway light standard was found lying across several
lanes of westbound traffic. Still further ahead, several other cars were off
the roadway, having sustained minor to moderate damage themselves. The semi was
ultimately completely destroyed.
SBCFD Crews attacked the fire
while simultaneously attempting to rescue the driver of the truck and checking
on injuries to the other parties involved. The force of the impact to the truck
had launched nearly all its contents across the road or into the wash next to
the freeway, while fire spread into the grass and towards adjacent houses.
Firefighters were able to get a knockdown on the fire and stop the threat of
spread in just under 20 minutes. Water was shuttled into the scene to assist
with mop up and eliminate any threat of re-start.
A
total of 16 San Bernardino County Fire Department
Firefighters, plus crews from American
Medical Response, Fontana Police and
CHP,
responded
to the incident.
Per
CHP the freeway was closed to westbound traffic at Sierra Ave. for
investigation. By 5:30 A.M. two lanes were re-opened.