A big-rig accident early Tuesday morning in Bridgeport killed a 33-year San Bernardino resident.
Photos courtesy of Glenn Clark
According to a press release from the CHP, at approximately 3:45 A.M. Tuesday a solo vehicle traffic collision occurred on US 395, just north of the intersection with State Route 182, just south of Bridgeport. US 395 was closed, with a detour, for about 12 hours.
A 2009 Freightliner semi-tractor towing a 2011 Wabash semi-trailer, driven by 33-year old Miguel Marquez, was traveling northbound on 395. For reasons still under investigation, the tractor/trailer combination failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The tractor/trailer combination struck and traveled through a bridge railing, landing on the embankment of the East Walker River where it became fully engulfed in flames, unfortunately resulting in fatal injuries to the driver.
The CHP, Mono County Sheriff’s Department, Caltrans, Bridgeport Fire Department, Mammoth Lakes Fire Department (for haz-mat), Mountain Warfare Training Center (for haz-mat), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and California Department of Environmental Health have all responded to the scene.
A company specializing in hazardous material cleanup has arrived on scene and began cleanup efforts. This team initially worked to cleanup the surface of United States 395, after which United States 395 was re-opened to vehicular traffic at approximately 3:40 P.M.
Cleanup efforts are expected to continue for several days.
These cleanup efforts are not expected to significantly impact traffic on US 395 or State Route182. It is anticipated that future work to repair damaged sections of the bridge may result in partial roadway closures at future dates.
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Followed a lady this morning who couldn’t stay in her land and crossed over the double yellow numerous times.
I called 911 to report a drunk driver. She was actually texting.
So I’ve come to the conclusion that every time a distracted driver takes themselves out of the gene pool without killing anyone else the World is just a little better off.
The only real difference between driving drunk and texting while driving is drivers can immediately stop texting but it’s impossible to immediately stop being drunk.
It’s frightening I must share the road with “you peope”.
Don’t be scared Markie, I’ll be way ahead of you.
Life is so good I am never ever in a hurry, and my dog is always riding shotgun. I drive the speed limit or slower and listen to country music. I also try to avoid being on the road when the rest of you are in a hurry going to and from work.
So I have no doubt you fly right by me all the time. We are clearly not on the same program.
LOL .. it’s skeery we share the road with you “too Mark”.
LOL Mark .. well we have to be on the road with you too … hehe.
Perhaps you brilliant critics missed it, but a man died and his mother may have been on the other end of the line to hear it.
Yes you are all very smart and very correct in your published admonitions about the proper ways to drive. Thank you. Now have a little respect and give it a rest.
Amen Tourbillon
Let’s try this again … amen Trourbillon.
No skid marks tell me he might have fallen asleep.
I knew that would happen one day, most unfortunate. I used to live in Bridgeport. Even if the driver was distracted at 30 miles an hour it still to fast for big rigs. You can set at Hay Street Cafe and watch them come into town pushing the speed limit. Sad about the driver, but glad it went over the bridge and not into the beautiful old ranch house that sets on that curv. And for the life of me, i can’t remember the name of that house, but you can see it here.
http://www.aaroads.com/california/images395/us-395_nb_bridgeport_023.jpg
Out of curiosity,what is the speed limit at this location ? I know it’s very close to entering the town of Bridgeport,can’t be more than 35 MPH…….If it isn’t it should be…..
The speed limit there is 30 mph.
Steve….Judging from the looks of the accident,I’ll bet he was going a lot faster than 30 MPH….sorry that he died,but people have to slow down entering these little towns….could’ve been a lot worse involving innocent drivers or pedestrians.Where I live,the only thing that slows them down entering town is if a Sheriff or CHP is parked at the Dow waiting on speeders.
I estimate he was doing about 55-60 Wayne, I talked to a resident, he says he has been up late at night, and has seen the big rigs, and other traffic coming through town at high rates of speed in the early morning hours.
Big Al….Man,that is FAST coming into town there…When I go to Bridgeport,it always seemed to me the CHP was VERY pro-active with speeders in and around Lee Vining and the Bridgeport area…
Yes it is Wayne, and for the most part, during the day, trucks are not usually speeding through the towns, as you say, the CHP is proactive with speeds and enforcement.
At night though, it is a different story, they know it is open for some quicker times through the towns.
The speed limit is 30 mph at that location.
Another distracted driver bites the dust.
I wouldn’t be surprised if cell phones kill more people then drunk drivers
The more I think about it talking on a cell phone or texting and driving should carry the same stiff penalties as a DUI.
Mark, some people can’t walk and chew gum, maybe we should make a stiff penalty for that too .. make more criminals, and crowd the jails and prisons a lil more .. so they can justify putting more money into the penal system and build more detention facilities.
You’ll think different when someone kills your loved one because they’re distracted.
No what I will be thinking is .. why the idiot couldn’t handle things, not worrying about putting their butt in jail for it.
Why do we have to pass a law for everything that we should know and act accordingly.
With every stupid law like the one you mentioned, the more people do not have to think for themselves.
We need to start teaching people, starting with the younger generation … to think responsibly and act accordingly. There is a big shortage of responsibility now days.
Mark-please stay to the right when I blow by ya. You gotta be kidding me.
Mark….Maybe not quite as severe as a DUI,but definatly more than just a warning or a slap on the wrist.But I guess the way of the World now…..ALWAYS having to talk with someone and “be in touch” with another person and things going on.What I find funny,and annoying, is the people that go camping,fishing and hiking that not only “need” to have their cell-phone with them,but be constantly talking on it with someone while they are enjoying the great outdoors.Last time I went to Lee Vining,went to my favorite fishing hole around dusk,and across the pool there was a guy with a fishing pole in one hand,and with the other holding his phone talking real loud to whoever he was talking to…one of those phones people hold down by their waist and yap.Another time, I saw a family of four,Mother, Father and two teens on a hike..The Mother and Father walking ahead with their packs and walking poles..and the two teens walking behind with their cell-phones talking,or texting or whatever they do all day long..How did people POSSIBLY survive before the cell-phone was invented ?
according to what we have been told through our terminal managers he was on the phone with his mother at the time. another accident caused by distracted driving.
I heard that story too SWIFT, I am not sure if it is legit or not? Said she heard the accident. There were not skid marks from him using brakes. Sad though .. I’m sorry for your loss.
Swift hires and trains anybody they can with two hands and a leg they can. Basically they will walk you threw how to pass the DMV test for a commercial license and put you behind the wheel the next day. They have the lowest pay and largest turn over rate in the business. Swift is the the Walmart of trucking. If the police can’t prove this guy was on the phone at 3:30 am with his mom(???) they will write this off as another driver falling asleep behind the wheel.
P.S. they would fire any terminal manager that would disclosed that kind of info to any one.
Unfortunately this wasn’t the first accident at that location. Perhaps Cal Trans should consider putting some rumble strips in to notify drivers well in advance of the turn?!
the place had plenty of signage leading up to the turn…There are laws regarding talking on the phone while driving-especially with CDL drivers….rumble strips will be torn out from the snowplows. Then have to be put back, then torn out….
plows will not tear any rumble strips out! They are ground into the pavement.
Wrong…as 10 yr plow driver, we actually see how many we can rip up…and we rip up plenty.We get to replace them in the spring. Job Security..
Wow Tony, your not supposed to admit your dirty deeds under you real name at least.