A Texas man suffered minor injuries January 24th when the vehicle he was driving collided with a tractor-trailer rig on an icy highway 44 just east of the Bogard Rest Area.
According to details provided by the Susanville office of the California Highway Patrol, at around 7:30a.m., 29-year old Fort Worth, Texas, resident Scott Ross was driving his 2020 Toyota Tacoma, towing a U-Haul trailer, westbound on the highway at approximately 50mph.
At the same time 54-year old Gerber, California resident J Vargas, was driving his 2014 International truck-tractor, towing a ‘chip’ trailer, eastbound, at approximately 35mph.
“Due to Ross’ unsafe speed for the icy/slick roadway conditions,” explains CHP Public Information Officer Kristin Wilburn, “he lost control of his pickup.”
“The pickup then traveled into the eastbound lane in front of Vargas’ vehicle.”
Vargas attempted to brake and steer to miss the Toyota but the vehicles collided and became disabled, blocking both lanes of Highway 44 for nearly two hours.
Ross sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
A fuel tank on the International truck tractor was punctured during the collision and spilled diesel fuel onto the roadway and shoulder. A Hazardous Materials incident was declared and Caltrans responded to the scene and handled the clean up.
