News releases

OLANCHA— The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is currently providing traffic control for the cleanup of a sedan versus truck accident that occurred yesterday evening.

The accident is just south of the junction of U.S. 395 and State Route 190, in the town of Olancha. The overturned truck was hauling 52,000 pounds of crushed marble and spilled about 60 gallons of diesel.

Prior to towing the truck away and finalizing clearance of the accident scene, the truck must be emptied of the marble in order to successfully upright the vehicle, and the hazardous diesel must be removed.

Caltrans will use flaggers, alternating north and southbound traffic past the work site. Expect traffic delays of up to 15 minutes.

For the latest highway information please visit the Caltrans QuickMap site at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).

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For the safety of workers and other motorists, please Be Work Zone Alert.

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On December 27, 2017, at approximately 1651 hours, a 2010 Freightliner Tractor/Trailer combination (V-2) was traveling northbound on US-395 (a two-lane highway at this location), approximately one mile south of SR-190 (Olancha), at approximately 55 mph.

At the same time, a 2011 Lexus GS350 (V-1) was traveling southbound on US-395, approaching V-2, at an unknown rate of speed. The driver of V-1 attempted to pass the vehicle in front of him by driving into the northbound lane, directly in V-2’s path of travel.

This resulted in V-1’s front end striking V-2’s front end. V-1’s driver and left rear passenger, both from Burbank, sustained fatal injuries as a result of this collision.

The remaining passenger of V-1, a child seated in the right rear child restraint, was transported to Bakersfield Trauma Center by Mercy Air. The driver of V-2 sustained minor injuries and was transported to Southern Inyo Hospital.

This collision is still under investigation. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

 

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