On 11/24/2021 at approximately 11:40 AM, a semi-truck driver from Phelan, CA, was driving a 2011 International semi-truck/trailer, loaded with cardboard. The semi truck was traveling northbound along US-395 just south of Cactus Flats Road near Olancha, CA.
The semi truck was entering a construction zone when the truck driver failed to see northbound traffic was coming to a stop due to the road construction. The semi truck crashed into the back of a travel trailer and truck at approximately 50 MPH. The pickup and travel trailer were then pushed into the back of a Toyota SUV. The pickup and travel trailer came to rest on the northbound shoulder of US-395, where it became fully engulfed in fire. The semi truck and trailer came to rest, blocking both the northbound and southbound lanes of US-395, where it became fully engulfed in fire.
All parties were able to exit their vehicles and only minor injuries were reported. Personnel from CHP, Inyo County Sheriff’s Department, Calfire, Caltrans, Olancha Volunteer Fire Department, and Lone Pine Volunteer Fire Department responded to the crash scene. A small brush fire resulted from the crash, which was extinguished by firefighter personnel.
US-395 was closed to all traffic for an extended period of time due to the semi truck blocking all lanes of traffic.
This crash is still under investigation by Bishop CHP.
Hi SWM, Many media outlets have moved away from using the term traffic “accident” Although I’m sure this collision was unintentional, the word “accident” can also imply that no one was at fault. The overwhelming majority of traffic collisions are the result of negligence. Approx. 40K deaths per year on… Read more »
Who was negligent herë? You seem to know. If you don’t, you are out of line çasting aspersions.
I spoke to a CHP motor officer that says 90 % of the time when a vehicle is rear-ended , it is the driver that causes the impact that is at fault . Sure, there are some exceptions , and a professional trucker , higher up that the rest of… Read more »
I never claimed to know the details of this incident and I didn’t cast any aspersions on anyone. The point was about terminology. Many news outlets and even emergency response agencies have discontinued the use of the term “accident” – and for good reason IMO.
YMMV
There is no reason for CalTrans to allow road construction to be done on one of the busiest days of the year for traveling unless it was for emergency work.
So true…they really don’t care when they empede traffic.
Did you mean impede perhaps?
Oh but wait… they’re the ones who make highway travel possible in the first place…