[UPDATE] Trucker Dies After Milk Tanker Careens Off Highway 20 in Lake County
![Traffic fatality fatal crash [Need permission from Matt to use]](https://kymkemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Traffic-Fatality-2.png)
A semi-truck driver is dead this morning after their rig veered off of Highway 20, east of Clearlake Oaks. According to the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page, about 6:34 this morning a semi was reported off Hwy 20 near West of Walker Ridge Road. The page describes a chaotic scene where reportedly up to 100 gallons of diesel fuel and milk have spilled into Grizzly Creek along the roadway.
Fish and Game officials have been requested to to assess the extent of the hazard materials situation.
The Caltrans Quickmap indicates drivers in the area might face delayed traffic in the westbound lane, but despite the extent of the wreck, its effect on traffic is minimal.
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
UPDATE 8:32 a.m.: As per the Incident Commander, diesel from is continuing to leak from the wreckage into a dry creekbed, not an active waterway.
UPDATE: The CHP reports the roadway is now clear.
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If I remember correctly, there was another similar wreck of a milk tanker on that road not long ago. Condolences to the loved ones of the driver.
Actually, twice!
https://kymkemp.com/2020/01/19/milk-and-fuel-leaking-into-clear-lake-after-big-rig-crash-off-hwy-20/
https://kymkemp.com/2020/04/12/major-injury-accident-on-hwy-20-impacting-traffic-large-milk-and-diesel-spill/
Milk truck wreck since then also. Recently.
Link please.
Google search only shows two.
It is possible that I remember that last one, but it seems that there was one more recent. Anybody know about another recent milk truck wreck?
The first link was my husband and he’s alive and well. So is the second link driver
Glad he’s ok.
Care to give the reasons for the accidents?
My husband had a concussion and still doesn’t remember. It’s been about 2 years and he still doesn’t know, no one does. He doesn’t even remember getting air lifted. In spite of how bad it was he only came out with the concussion and glass in his face with minor injuries. He’s the luckiest man. Second one I don’t remember but he had a broken elbow and is still recovering, again. . .lucky.
Maybe someone is trying to tell him that driving milk trucks isn’t his thing.
I’m the driver from the second link above, & I was right behind the driver in the other link as well when he crashed. We were not driving fast. I was doing 38mph & some guy in front of me slammed on his brakes for no apparent reason. I made it all the way around the corner & was going straight & the truck flipped over. What non-drivers don’t realize about milk tankers is that they are inherently VERY dangerous to drive. Any sudden movement like shifting gears, hitting the brakes, or swerving causes the milk to slosh around in the tank. For example, think about taking a 1 liter soda that is 3/4 full & shake it from side to side to make it start sloshing back & forth. Then set it down on the ground. It’s going to slosh & roll around on the floor for a bit. Condolences to the family of this driver. The other drivers, myself included, are lucky to be alive.
Very interesting, thx for explaining that. Question: Why not design the tanks with internal partitions to help prevent the fluid from sloshing around?
What you are thinking of are called bulkheads if separating into different compartments or baffles that help with the surge. However, milk tankers can’t have baffles due to contamination from areas that can’t be cleaned when running wash cycles inside the trailer.
Theres no baffles in milk trucks because they could not be sanitized with baffles, which stop sloshing. My husband drives for this company, i am a truck driver, and we send our prayers to the people impacted.
Thank you. He’s my uncle!
Got love the liquid surge when hauling smooth bore tankers with no baffles
How about air bladders that can be deflated, removed, and cleaned?
Baffles and bulkheads?
A friend of mine died on that road when a milk truck came in to his lane and hit him. His son was with him at the time and lived. Why do these trucks have to drive so fast anyway
Thank you. He is my uncle.
Like sawmills there are a lack of local creamerys. Some commodities have to travel ridiculous distances.
I feel very sorry for the driver. I don’t know why his rig left the road but it cost him his life. Condolences to his family and friends
We drove by it this morning, it was bad! He hit the rail on a turn which catapulted him down and over facing the opposite direction. Condolences to the family. Speed would be a significant factor in my opinion. 2 Fire trucks and 3 police were on seen.
It does take much for a big rig to go through or over the guard rail. I doubt that speed was a factor, but I was not there. I am giving the driver the benefit of doubt. He lost his life in the accident, and I wish people would just drop the subject and let him RIP!
When there is a pattern of very similar accidents along a particular stretch of road it might make sense to discuss why instead of just dropping it.
RIP driver and wishes of peace for your loved ones.
Fine to discuss the road at that point on the highway. It makes no sense to keep taking about the driver who lost his life is my point. Truckers that drive that highway all the time know of the dangers waiting for them in certain sports.
Milk truck again