Truck Carrying Precious Cargo Crashes
Railroad Flat, CA – Moving too quickly down a steep and winding roadway, a driver was forced to ditch his truck, which was loaded with water, according to the CHP.
The crash happened on Railroad Flat Road north of Independence Road around 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The CHP reports 44-year-old William Derby from West Point driving a 1985 KW water truck was going about 10 mph heading down the winding grade. The three axle truck started to pick up speed, approaching a right curve at 20 mph. Officer Toby Butzler explains “Derby tried to apply his brakes but it appeared he wasn’t going to be able to stop or slow enough for the corner so he intentionally went off the west side of the roadway into an embankment.” He adds the truck did not flip over but there was a small gasoline leak, which was cleaned up by emergency crews. As for the precious water on board the truck…not a drop was spilled.
Derby suffered moderate injuries and was taken by ambulance to Mark Twain Medical Center.
