Pickup Driver Killed in Fiery Accident
A pickup truck loaded with old household appliances crashed and burst into flames on the Santa Ana Freeway Thursday morning, killing the vehicle’s driver, CHP officials said.
Moments before the 10 a.m. accident, the 1970 Ford pickup, traveling south near the Katella Avenue exit, veered sharply to the right and flipped over, said Denise Medina, public affairs officer for the California Highway Patrol in Westminster. The truck then skidded 50 to 75 feet before hitting a guardrail and catching fire, Medina said.
The male driver, who still had not been identified late Thursday, was pronounced dead at 10:22. No other vehicles were involved, officials said.
Traffic was diverted to Ball Road until 10:50 a.m. while firefighters extinguished the blaze and tried to determine whether emissions from the fire were toxic. The truck’s flatbed had been piled with refrigerators, water heaters, washing machines, plastic chairs and barrels.
A hazardous materials team inspected the area and declared that the spillage and fumes were not dangerous to motorists.
“It appears the fire started on impact after the truck was sliding and struck the guard rail. It was quite a hit that lifted the post off the rail,” Medina said. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the accident and the identity of the driver.
“We’re not quite sure why he lost control--if he fell asleep, if the truck was overweight, we don’t know,” Medina said.
CHP officials are hoping that witnesses will come forward. They asked that anyone with information contact them at (714) 892-4426.
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