Driver Killed In Fiery Big-Rig Crash On Lakeville Highway
PETALUMA (CBS SF) -- A man was killed Wednesday morning when his tractor-trailer hit a tree along a busy stretch of road in Sonoma County.
The unidentified 31-year-old driver from Los Angeles collided with a large eucalyptus tree along Lakeville Highway south of Petaluma about 11:45 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. His big rig became engulfed in flames and he was pronounced dead at the scene, Petaluma police said.
The crash site was on the 6300 block of Lakeville Highway south of Old Lakeville Road No. 2, the CHP said.
Twitter user Ray Harris, who goes by the user name @MrMojays, posted video he took as he drove past the scene of the accident.
Petaluma right now ## pic.twitter.com/Ka4E1bqN5m
— UNK™ (@NoMoJays) June 29, 2016
Sonoma County sheriff's deputies called for the coroner's office around 12:20 p.m.
Lakeville Highway was expected to be closed between state Highway 116/Stage Gulch Road and state Highway 37 until 6 or 8 p.m., according to the CHP.
Petaluma police advised drivers to avoid Lakeville Highway and use US 101 to SR 37 or SR 37 to US 101 as an alternate route. They also said to avoid the Lakeville Highway off ramps from US 101 if drivers are traveling south out of Petaluma.
Local residents were being allowed to have access from the north end of the closure as far as Old Lakeville Road No. 2, and residents should be prepared to show identification with a local address, police said.
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