Sandbagged: Occupants of Pickup Crash Injured/Maple Hills Road Closed Because of Cargo Spill

Accident on Maple Hills Road.

Accident on Maple Hills Road. [Photo by Leland Salomon]

This is a press release from the California Highway Patrol. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:

On 06/15/2018, at approximately 0535 hours,  Troy Smith of West Sacramento, CA was driving a 2003 GMC Sierra south on US-101 north of the French Rd. under-crossing.  For reasons still under investigation, Smith allowed the GMC to travel off the east roadway edge of US-101 and down the tree covered embankment. While traveling down the embankment the GMC collided with a tree. The GMC continued in an easterly direction towards Maple Hills Rd. The GMC then collided with the roadway were it over turned, the cab of the GMC detached from the frame and came to rest within the roadway of Maple Hills Rd. As a result of the collision, Troy Smith sustained suspected moderate injuries. The passenger in the GMC, Robert Smith of West Sacramento, CA also sustained suspected moderate injuries. Both parties were transported to St. Joesph Hospital in Eureka, CA by City Ambulance of Eureka. Additionally, the GMC had been hauling a load of sand bags which spilled into the roadway on Maple Hills Rd. causing a full closure of Maple Hills Rd. for approximately two (2) hours.

Cal Fire, Redway Volunteer Fire, Miranda Volunteer Fire, and Redwood Towing all responded to the scene and assisted the California Highway Patrol during this incident.

This incident remains under investigation by the Garberville CHP Office and alcohol or drugs does not appear to be a factor.

Earlier Chapter: Two Sent to Hospital/Maple Hills Road Closed After Pickup Careens Across 

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28 Comments
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Really
Guest
Really
5 years ago

alcohol or drugs do not seem to be a factor but green rush syndrome appears to be an underlying cause of laspe of judgement.

Kathi Smith
Guest
Kathi Smith
5 years ago
Reply to  Really

Just so you know these were my two children who were driving this vehicle.. and it was a company vehicle…. they were actually working! So… before you judge why not get all of the facts.

mark vollmer
Guest
mark vollmer
5 years ago
Reply to  Kathi Smith

I Hope your Kids are ok praying for them.

Kathi Smith
Guest
Kathi Smith
5 years ago
Reply to  mark vollmer

May the grace of God, they are okay. Thank you

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
5 years ago

I wonder how much the sandbags er… ‘weighed’ ????

Dan Fuller
Guest
Dan Fuller
5 years ago

alcohol or drugs do not seem to be a factor… Just Basic stupidity more than likely !!!

M. E. Papin
Guest
M. E. Papin
5 years ago

Hope they will be ok. For all y’all know it alls may or may not know maybe a deer jumped out in front of them or some other animal. Maybe the driver had a medical emergency. Tales abound about drivers swerving to avoid a hazard and ending up out of control and crashed. Hope it never happens to you or someone close to you. 5-ish in the morning the suicidal deer are definitely out and about jumping into moving vehicles. Been there done that

Humboldtborn
Guest
Humboldtborn
5 years ago
Reply to  M. E. Papin

You’re more likely to survive and not cause a bigger accident if you just slam into the deer and try to stay in your lane (if that was the case, of course!).

Jayne Dough
Guest
Jayne Dough
5 years ago
Reply to  Humboldtborn

I agree, had to stop just North of Willits once…doing 55…deer jumped onto road and stopped….Husband has schooled me for years, don’t swerve! GREAT brakes, phew! I actually stopped, the deer lived, and got a peace sign from other drivers, JUST because I caused no problems by swerving! Admit closed eyes last second , cuz I really thought we we’re going to hit her….the deer come out of NOWHERE!

guest
Guest
guest
5 years ago

I know this has something to do with growing weed but what’s the sand for?

Seriously
Guest
Seriously
5 years ago
Reply to  guest

Diverting flow of water?

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Seriously

Bingo…

Nicole
Guest
Nicole
5 years ago
Reply to  Guest

No [edit]. They work for a party place, the sandbags are for the bounce houses. How do you just assume it has to do with weed? What does that say about you that your mind automatically went there? Judge mental jackasses. Don’t speak on shit you don’t know about. And respond saying some more disrespectful shit about my brothers, we can certainly go back and forth. Go mind your own business and take care of your damn selves

Kathi Smith
Guest
Kathi Smith
5 years ago
Reply to  guest

This has nothing to do with growing weed. They were driving a company vehicle. Who cares what the sand may have or have not been, 2 young men are lucky to be alive tonight. And those 2 young men happen to be my sons. Thanks for your judgements

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
5 years ago
Reply to  guest

And how do you know that, pray tell?

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

That’s why the question mark at the end. But the probability is high. In fact, tiresomely common.

Cole s
Guest
Cole s
5 years ago

Sand bags hold down tarps great no rips

Jnetta
Guest
Jnetta
5 years ago

So scary …the cab detached from the frame !!! Glad these boys are okay & get to go home to their families ❤️

Kathi Smith
Guest
Kathi Smith
5 years ago
Reply to  Jnetta

Thank you. These are my sons and we are so happy that they got he miracle of life today.

John North Willys
Guest
John North Willys
5 years ago

excuse me but I couldn’t bear to read this story — car crash , sand bags ? — what the ?? — little johnny stole the chickens ?? — where is this — MAYBERRY , RFD ???

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
5 years ago

Sounds like the people of salmon Creek got, ummm, sandbagged!

Local
Guest
Local
5 years ago

More likely dicking around with a phone

Treena
Guest
Treena
5 years ago
Reply to  Local

Assumptions assumptions!!! Y’all better hope and pray that this doesn’t happen to you or a loved one of yours!! These young men (my nephews) happened to be on their way to work when this accident happened… nothing to do with marijuana as most of you presumed!! Stop being so judgemental sheesh!! May god bless all of you NEGATIVE NANCYS AND NORMANS!!

Theresa
Guest
Theresa
5 years ago

You people and your coments there were sandbags because they were working at a sober graduation the night before and sandbags are what their boss had them hual they are to hold down the BOUNCE HOUSES ! T HEY ARE MY NEPHEWS AND I DON’T APPRECIATE ALL THIS JUDGEMENT BULL SHIT WOW …Those kids are hard working young man trying to make an honest living try not to be so judgmental wow wow

Poppins
Guest
Poppins
5 years ago

To the family of the two young men. I am thankful they survived and may they recover quickly from their injuries. Thank them for being hardworking men! I am saddened to read the caustic comments and slanderous comments from folks reguarding the accident. Please know not all of the folks in our community jump to the most unpleasant assumptions and may your family have a blessing filled summer.

Kathi Smith
Guest
Kathi Smith
5 years ago
Reply to  Poppins

Thank you very much!

R -DOG
Guest
R -DOG
5 years ago

I glad them young men are ok and for the people saying stupid stuff you dont have to be hauling anything to make a stupid comment thar are still hard working people in this world and thank God for that because if thar wasn’t us people that are less fortunate would be in a world of hurt i know i done my shar of hard labor and my poor body is paying for it big time thank you young men for being hard working and specially glad you boys are going to be ok what injurys you have let them heal well soon

Kathi Smith
Guest
Kathi Smith
5 years ago
Reply to  R -DOG

Thank you!