Fatal Semi-Trailer Accident

On the morning of October 10th, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer who resides in the park reported an overturned semi-trailer on Highway 190 west of Stovepipe Wells. The semi-trailer dump bed overturned near the Emigrant rest rooms;  the truck and another attached trailer were about 1,000 feet uphill at the entrance to the Emigrant campground. The truck, which was in several pieces, appeared to have been subjected to tremendous force. The driver’s body was found near the corner of the highway and the entrance to the campground. Diesel fuel spilled from the rig into the campground. CalTrans hazmat units responded to assess the severity of the spill, and park resource management staff are working with them to determine what cleanup measures need to be taken. The vehicle and driver were both working on a CalTrans paving project that’s currently underway within the park. CHP is the lead agency in the investigation.