KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
One person was killed in a Castaic crash early Wednesday morning after a tow truck collided with a big rig, officials said.
The crash was reported at about 12:01 a.m. Wednesday near the northbound 5 Freeway at Parker Road, according to Officer Josh Greengard, spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Newhall Area Office.
A Castaic Tow flatbed was traveling on the I-5 in the No. 3 lane behind a tractor-trailer, according to the CHP report.
“For an unknown reason, the tow truck collided with the rear of the tractor-trailer,” the CHP report reads.
A 63-year-old Ventura man was killed in the crash, with the identity of the victim not being released pending the notification of next of kin, according to investigators.
As a result of the fatal crash, all lanes of the northbound 5 Freeway were temporarily closed with traffic diverted to Hasley Canyon Road, according to the CHP.
Just before 7 a.m. Wednesday, the SigAlert was canceled, with all lanes open, according to the CHP.
Alcohol or drugs are not suspected to be a factor in the crash, the report said.
The cause of the crash is under investigation as of Wednesday morning.
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I often drive north on the I-5 where this accident occurred. That section of freeway through the mountain pass can be perilous. Big rigs are supposed to stay in the first two lanes but will unexpectedly pull into the third lane, often in a dangerous manner where there’s barely time for other vehicles to get out of the way due to being boxed in or the fact that the truck driver so suddenly veers into the third lane so to avoid slow trucks ahead. That could have happened in this instance. I would like to see the CHP patrol the grade going north more often to ticket these truck drivers, especially as this dangerous practice seems to be occurring more often these days. Everyone is in such a hurry. Perhaps Caltrans could post signs along the corridor for trucks to only use the right two lanes indicating a hefty fine for violators.
You are so correct. However the number 3 lane is legal lane for tractor trailers. Number 1 lane is the “fast lane” so the truck driver was not in the incorrect lane number 3&4 lanes are legal. My heart goes out to the family of the deceased. I see all the I-5 tow truck drivers every day. That companies yard is next to my shop. They put themselves in harms way every day to help others stranded on the highway. So look out for them as they help others so everyone gets home to their families safely. We all need to take more care while on the roads. Have patience and care for everyone. Truckers also get everything we use daily to and from through out the country. No Truck drivers no supplies so try not to be so upset while they work for us. God bless and prayers to the drivers family for peace and healing for their loss.
I’m a tow truck driver and specially that area I have been losing my side mirror twice hitting by speeding big truck irresponsible driver this happen at night time those drivers want to beat the clock going at high speed they don’t care about the others car drivers the most ridiculously I’m the one who received the ticket cause the court said we didn’t exchange info the other driver never show up at court.
Yes, it is a very hard task to be a trucker. I used to work at the Comfort inn and do the night audit. Truckers would come in for a three hour rest. I would fill their canisters with coffee before they would leave and knowing they were sleep deprived tell them I’m praying for them. Unions need to do more to help Truckers get 8 hours or more rest. It breaks my heart how few Unions actually care about the well being of the ones who pay their check. Golden Rule needs to come back to this third world mentality. PEACE
I am confused. I crossed the Parker Rd bridge while emergency personnel were cutting the two trucks apart (the trailer of the big rig looked like it had no rear wheels and appeared to be on the ground). BOTH trucks were in the slow lane of the southbound I-5 freeway…not northbound. Just thought all should know what I saw.
Everyone in the comments blaming the trucker who got rear ended. Makes absolutely no sense. Tow truck driver probably on his phone.
The truck driver was at fault I lost a good friend that morning and the dash cam in our trucks prove that the semi was at fault ,
Rob, please check the facts before jumping to conclusions as you did. He was a great person and great worker who always followed safety precautions. Your (ass)umption was not appreciated.
This was devastating news for us.
It was a sad morning when the phone rang , Billy is dead , the dash cam shows Billy checking his mirrors and a semi stoped in the north bound 5 freeway no lightning or triangles or flairs, , the semi driver lied to the CHP saying he was going 40 mph , dash cam clearly shows a stopped semi without any lights or triangles. RIP BILLY love you brother
Before you make any comment get your story first from chp and then make your comment.First the big rig was broken down with no rear lights on, and the tow truck driver had no chance and did not see the big rig he was going the speed limit and was not on the phone which dash cam shows.we as tow truck drivers we have to carry flares, cones and triangles for the safety of others and clearly the big rig driver had no intention of doing any of that.last year there was another incident where a tow truck driver lost his life when he was servicing a vehicle on the same fwy when a big rig merged on to the shoulder and took him out…There has been major problems with those big rigs and I hope all tow truck drivers and stranded vehicle be careful and stay away from the shoulder.RIP Bill you will be missed !!!
I witnessed the accident happen right in front of my eyes and it really scared me. I’ve been praying for the people involved for the past week.
Bill was a good guy. I met him when I was working for Edmond’s Towing in Lebec, we talked while we both refueled in Castaic. I have another friend, Benny, who works there at Castaic Towing also…that place has had two tragic deaths since last June. So sad. Stay safe, fellow tow drivers!
Thank you for those comments above with facts Victor. I’m just now wrapping my head around this horrific accident that claimed Bill’s life which could have been avoided with proper precautions. I just now heard about it but it seems like it was just yesterday.
Bill was a tow driver for life! He loved being a tow truck driver. He was very kind hearted, just a great overall human being. I’m blessed to have known him.
The company of the truck driver should have the decency of providing a proper burial. Bill deserves it.