LOCAL : Truck Crushes Car, Kills Driver
A man who stopped his car on the Golden State Freeway north of Castaic was killed instantly this morning when a tractor-trailer plowed over his car from behind, the California Highway Patrol reported.
The victim, believed to be about 30 years old, was not identified. CHP Officer A. J. Torres said it was unclear why the victim stopped his station wagon in a southbound traffic lane, but investigators detected the strong odor of alcohol in the wreckage of the car.
The accident occurred about 4 a.m. just south of Hungry Valley Road, the CHP said.
Alfred Ralph Morales, 47, of Fresno was driving a tractor-trailer loaded with construction material at about 50 m.p.h. Morales told investigators he did not see the stopped station wagon in front of him and drove over it, Torres said.
The cab of the truck stopped on top of the car, crushing it, and the two vehicles skidded about 600 feet along the downgrade and onto the shoulder of the freeway. The body of the victim was not removed until the truck cab could be lifted off the station wagon with a tow truck.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
