A tragic accident claimed a Ventura County man’s life early Thursday morning after a collision west of Santa Clarita. The California Highway Patrol responded to the scene around 3:30 a.m. along Highway 126 in Los Angeles County, a few miles east of the Ventura County line.
The Ventura County Star reports the accident occurred near the Chiquita Canyon Landfill on February 9, 2023. Investigators say it began as a semi-truck was attempting to make a U-Turn near the intersection of Wolcott Way. An approaching Volkswagen sedan collided with the truck’s tractor-trailer. A Honda sedan was also involved in the chain-reaction crash.
Officials say the driver of the Volkswagen, a 30-year-old man from Santa Paula, was pronounced dead at the scene. There was no mention of if there were other injury victims in the accident.
The California Highway Patrol continues to work to determine the circumstances that led up to the collision.
Big Rig Accident Dangers Along Highway 126 in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties
Manufacturing and agriculture play major roles in our local economy. Both industries put a lot of products on the road on giant trucks. There’s also the endless stream of big delivery vehicles racing in and out of local neighborhoods.
Most truck drivers are careful with their heavy loads and large vehicles, but one careless mistake can cause devastating results for motorists in much smaller cars and SUVs.
Highway 126 is a heavily used truck route through Ventura County and Los Angeles County. You’ll see many tractor-trailers and produce haulers in the lanes. The truck drivers at the wheel cause frightening accidents each year.
California Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) found that Highway 126 was the scene of at least half a dozen major truck accidents involving injury in 2021. Those accidents resulted in at least one tragic death.
Truck drivers and their employers must commit to better protecting everyone who uses the roads through Ventura County and Los Angeles County.
A note about Los Angeles County and Ventura County truck accidents…
According to Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys, APC, “A deadly collision caused by a truck driver can bring additional support options for families who should be safeguarded at such a difficult time. The truck driver’s commercial truck insurance company would be asked to supply victimized families with the help they need. The driver’s employer may also be liable for a careless accident.”
