Salinas ,CA :35- Years old Moses Garcia seriously injured and another drive minorly injured after big-rig truck crashed along Highway 101 on Thursday , April 9 2015

A big-rig truck crashed on Highway 101 South just before the Abbott Street Exit Thursday.

Authorities with the California Highway Patrol said a big rig Penske truck was going south, when the driver, identified as Thomas Olsen, 54, of Kissimmee, Florida, veered off into the guard rail, rode the guard rail for about a mile, and tipped over onto a Kia Rio that was traveling north.

The car, which had one person inside, was trapped underneath the truck. The driver, Moses Garcia, 35, of Salinas, was stuck in the car for an hour while authorities worked to get him out.

Both victims were taken to Natividad Medical Center, where Garcia is in serious condition with severe spinal injuries.

Olsen suffered minor injuries.

CHP says the truck was bound from Salinas to Lost Hills and was loaded with moving supplies.

The crash started a minor vegetation fire due to the crash. Farm workers who saw the crash rushed to help.

“They happened to be in the area,” said James Rios of the CHP. “They saw what happened and they immediately took action.”

Rios said the farm workers ripped off the truck’s top, used a tractor to get as much stuff out of the truck as possible to relieve pressure from the man trapped underneath.

“I haven’t seen anything where somebody is trapped in the car like this,” Rios said. “It’s not common for this type of crash.”

Rios also said witness statements seem to indicate truck driver may have had a medical problem. That is being investigated.


source :
Highway 101 big rig crash victims identified