Pedestrian Dead, 1 Extricated From Vehicle After Crash Into Building In Grass Valley
GRASS VALLEY (CBS13) — A woman walking across the street was killed Friday after a work truck slammed into her and a building in Grass Valley, officials said.
The Grass Valley Fire Department said the crash happened along South Auburn Street just before 2:30 p.m. It appears the driver of the truck, a 51-year-old man from North Highlands, lost control while coming off Highway 49, hit the 39-year-old Grass Valley woman who was walking on the sidewalk, then crashed into the Grass Valley Charter School.
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The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Extrication tools were needed to remove the driver from the vehicle. The California Highway Patrol said the man suffered broken bones and is in the hospital. Authorities said drugs or alcohol were not factors.
Heidie Blue was driving by when she saw police arrive at the scene.
"This is just tragic to me," said Blue. "We saw a lady laying here on the grass that definitely was unresponsive."
Grass Valley CHP said that it does not appear the driver was speeding. Witnesses say the man was driving 40-45 miles per hour, according to Public Information Officer Mike Steele.
"It could be a myriad of things. It could be mechanical failure or an unsafe driving condition or failure to pay attention. That is what is still under investigation right now," said Steele.
Blue grew up in the area and said the off-ramp has been a problem in the past.
"This needs a stoplight. I went to school here in the '70s and I'm going to tell you my brother and I were almost killed several times walking to and from school here," she said.
Steele said while the area is heavily traveled, it has not been a specific area of concern.
"To my knowledge, I can't remember the last time there was a fatal collision or even a major injury collision at that intersection," he said.
Steele said the truck will go through a mechanical inspection, to see if there was a failure on the vehicle.
Swipe to see more photos from the scene.
