4 Hurt as Truck Jumps Curb in Santa Clarita

A truck traveling more than 65 m.p.h. jumped a curb, struck two utility poles and landed at the bottom of an embankment early Thursday in Santa Clarita, injuring the driver and three passengers, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported.

Driver Douglas Reddy, 30, of Valencia and Richard Simmons, 32, of Castaic were listed in critical condition at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, Deputy Bruce Sonnenblick said.

Joseph Medina, 25, of Castaic was treated for broken bones and cuts, and the driver’s brother, Curtis, 25, of Valencia, was not seriously hurt in the 1:30 a.m. accident, he added.

The truck, traveling west on Soledad Canyon Road east of Bouquet Canyon Road, struck the curb and a utility pole, then swerved sideways and hit a second pole, which snapped, he said. The truck went down an embankment, ending up in a creek bed, he added.