Trucker Found Dead Inside Big Rig That Was Parked for 3 Days
A truck driver was found dead Friday in his big rig, which had been parked for three days at a truck stop, sheriff’s deputies said.
A preliminary investigation indicated no foul play was involved, Lt. Larry Gump of the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station said.
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office will conduct an autopsy on the 40-year-old man, a resident of Sunnyside, Wash., to determine the cause of death, authorities said.
A truck parked for more than a day would not necessarily arouse suspicion, said Denny Honaker, the truck stop’s operations manager. Drivers sometimes park their trucks overnight and leave to visit their families, especially around holidays such as the Memorial Day weekend, Honaker said.
An employee at Giant Travel Plaza eventually noticed the big rig, whose refrigerator motor was still humming as it cooled a load of produce, and contacted authorities.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the plaza at 3 p.m. and found the body, Gump said.
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.
