Overturned logging truck on SR-299 leads to major injuries, highway closure
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TRINITY COUNTY, Calif. — Two people sustained major injuries after crashing into logs spilled from an overturned logging truck on State Route 299 on Wednesday morning.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) in the Trinity River Area said the crash happened just before 7 a.m., just east of Fawn Lodge Road. They said Danny Milholland, 55, of Winemucca, Nev., was driving a Peterbilt logging truck at an unsafe speed west on SR-299. At the same time, Jolene Eye, 21, of Anderson, was driving a Hyundai Sonata east on SR-299, approaching Milholland's vehicle.
Due to the Milholland's unsafe speed, the CHP saidthe Peterbilt overturned into the eastbound lane, spilling its load of logs. They said Eye attempted to avoid the falling logs, but was unable to. The logs collided with the Hyundai and pushed it backwards off the roadway and 20 feet down an embankment to the south of SR-299, CHP said.
As a result of the crash, Eye and her passenger, Carmen Busbee, 21, of Redding, sustained major injuries, including possible broken arms, legs and pelvis, and were transported to Mercy Medical in Redding.The CHP said Milholland was uninjured.
The highway was closed approximately six miles east of Douglas City for four hours for recovery and to removal of vehicles. The CHP said alcohol or drugs are not suspected to have contributed to the crash.
