Runaway Gravel Truck Kills Man

A reserve deputy with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department was killed and a municipal bus driver was hospitalized Friday when a gravel truck with apparent brake failure barreled through a red light and smashed into the bus and a pickup truck in Rancho Cucamonga, authorities said.

The fatal crash at the intersection of Arrow Route and Archibald Avenue occurred after the gravel truck struck three other vehicles four miles north of the intersection and continued out of control.

The pickup driven by reserve Deputy Angel “Jake” Steve Calzada, 51, of Rancho Cucamonga was nearly split in half by the impact.

He died at the scene.

The Omnitrans bus, driven by Gloria Torres, 38, of Fontana did not have passengers, according to a sheriff’s spokeswoman.

Torres was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, sheriff’s spokeswoman Jodi Miller said.

“When the truck ran the red, and debris started flying through my windshield, I ducked,” said Marcus Nolan, 22, a senior at UC Davis whose car had its windshield smashed.

“I came up to see everything demolished. God was watching over me.”

Calzada, a Rancho Cucamonga public works employee and former sheriff’s reserve of the year, contributed 60 hours a month to the department, said John Geron, commander of volunteer services.

Calzada is survived by a wife and two daughters, Geron said.

“Jake was so dedicated to this city,” Geron said. “He was literally the eyes and ears of this community and a dedicated family man. He’s the guy you wanted to cover your back. Everybody in this city loved him.

“This is a major loss to our department, and to this city.”

Torres was listed in stable condition after sustaining multiple fractures, including an ankle, and lacerations and head injuries.

The driver of the gravel truck, Adam Ahlberg, 26, of Riverside was treated for back pain at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

The crash is under investigation.