Los Angeles, California – On the morning of Monday, January 8, 2024, a 23-year-old man lost his life in a collision involving his truck and the rear of a wood-loaded flatbed vehicle on Highway 118, as reported by the California Highway Patrol.
The incident occurred around 8:45 a.m. on the 118, near Topanga Canyon Boulevard, classified as a multiple-vehicle crash. According to the City News Service, preliminary investigations revealed that the wood carried by the flatbed crashed through the truck’s windshield, resulting in the tragic loss of the driver.
Images from the scene, shared by Fox 11, depict the wood protruding from the flatbed, while the truck, with evident damage to its front left side, is several feet away.
The victim, the sole occupant of the truck, was pronounced dead at the scene, as confirmed by CHP authorities. The collision also left the driver of the wood truck with moderate injuries, who was transported to a local hospital for medical attention.
While the investigation is still ongoing, indications suggest that the speed of the truck may have been a contributing factor in this tragic incident. Officers from the CHP’s commercial division are analyzing whether the wood truck complied with rules requiring the marking with a red or orange flag of objects protruding 4 feet or more from the rear of a vehicle.
Additionally, an SUV was involved in the incident, colliding with the rear of the truck after its encounter with the flatbed. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported in the SUV.
This tragic truck collision on Highway 118 remains under investigation, emphasizing the importance of road safety and the need to adhere to regulations aimed at preventing such incidents.
