BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — One person was killed after a semi-truck collided with a vehicle causing it to catch on fire near Arvin, according to California Highway Patrol.
CHP first reported the crash at the intersection of Wheeler Ridge and Herring roads at around 3:16 p.m. Monday.
Officials said the crash happened when a Ford truck and Chevrolet vehicle were traveling northbound on Wheeler Ridge Road, north of Herring Road. The Ford crossed the double yellow lines, entered the southbound lane to pass the Chevrolet, the driver of the Ford failed to see a 2015 Freightliner pulling two empty flatbed trailers in the southbound lane.
The driver of the Freightliner turned the big rig to the right and slowed down to avoid the Ford truck, but the Ford crashed into the front of the big rig. The impact of the crash caused the Ford to spin out of control and crashed into the left side of the Chevrolet. The Chevrolet went off the roadway and came to a stop on the dirt shoulder.
The Ford truck became fully engulfed and came to a stop in the roadway. After the crash, the semi-truck stopped on southbound lane of Wheeler Ridge Road, blocking traffic.
The driver for the Ford sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The 62-year-old man behind the wheel of the Chevrolet suffered minor injuries but was not transported to a hospital, while the 51-year-old driver of the Freightliner did not report any injuries.
Drivers of the Chevrolet and Freightliner were wearing seatbelts. It’s unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factors in the crash for the driver of the Ford.
Alcohol and drugs were not factors for the drivers of the Chevrolet or Freightliner, according to CHP.
