MENDOCINO COUNTY — The driver of a 2005 Toyota Camry was killed in a vehicle incident on Highway 128 near the Mendocino County line on Tuesday.
The identification of the driver is being withheld pending notification of his family.
According to California Highway Patrol (CHP) Ukiah area, at approximately 8 p.m. Tuesday, Terry Wood, 46, of Santa Rosa, was traveling westbound on Highway 128 in a loaded, fuel tanker truck. For unknown reasons Wood lost control of the 2007 Peterbilt truck causing the rear trailer to overturn.
CHP said that the trailer then struck the Toyota Camry driven by a man identified only as being 22 years old, of Santa Rosa. The driver of the Toyota died as a result of injuries sustained in the incident.
According to CHP, the tanker was loaded with approximately 4,400 gallons of fuel. The tank erupted causing 4,000 gallons to spill on the roadway and into a nearby drainage ditch.
Because of the fuel spill, the incident was handled as a hazardous waste spill and environmental health and fire department personnel responded to the scene, and according to CHP, deemed the scene to be stable.
CHP said the highway was to remain closed on Wednesday until the scene could be further evaluated. Because of the remote location, CHP said evacuations were not necessary.
