Home Local & Regional News Two Big-Rigs Collide on Highway 44 Near Poison Lake

Two Big-Rigs Collide on Highway 44 Near Poison Lake

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Photo by CHP Sergeant Michael Major

Two tractor-trailer rigs collided early Monday morning near Poison Lake on Highway 44, sending one driver and a passenger to Banner Lassen for treatment of their injuries.

According to details released by the Susanville office of the California Highway Patrol, a 2020 Freightliner truck tractor was being driven westbound on the highway, hauling a trailer loaded with paint, 59-year old Elk Grove resident Baljit Sandhu.

“As the vehicle combination entered a curve the driver lost control on the icy roadway and the vehicle jackknifed and collided with a snow embankment,” explains CHP spokesperson Brian Elledge.

The saddle tanks ruptured spilling approximately 120 gallons of diesel fuel and the Freightliner came to rest in the roadway.

Ten minutes later, a Peterbilt truck tractor, driven by 54-year-old New Orleans resident Tammy Thompson, hauling an empty trailer, entered the curve and collided with the first vehicle combination.

“Both vehicles came to rest blocking the roadway. SR-44 was closed from SR-36, near Susanville, to SR-89, at Old Station, while the scene was cleared and made safe.”

Sandhu suffered a complaint of pain and his passenger suffered major injuries.

All parties were transported to Banner Lassen Medical Center. Notifications were made due to the spilled diesel fuel. The roadway was re-opened at around 11:00a.m.

SEMSA, CALFIRE, Shasta County Fire, Cal Trans, and the California Highway Patrol responded to the scene.

“The CHP would like to remind drivers to use caution and reduce speeds when driving on area roadways. Many roadways are experiencing flooding, and ice build up may still occur at anytime.”

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