LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – There were no injuries in a late Thursday night crash along Highway 20 that involved a FedEx tractor trailer and two other vehicles, and officials said a large diesel spill that resulted from the wreck was contained before it reached Clear Lake.
The crash occurred at about 11:45 p.m. Thursday on Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks, according to the Friday report from California Highway Patrol Officer Kory Reynolds.
Reynolds said Joseph Shanks, 37, of McKinleyville was driving a FedEx big rig towing two trailers eastbound on Highway 20 at 40 miles per hour west of Clearlake Oaks.
Stephen Wooldridge, 29, of Clearlake also was driving eastbound on Highway 20 behind the FedEx truck in his 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe, Reynolds reported.
Wooldridge attempted to pass the FedEx truck when he observed a westbound 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Sarah Hail, 18, of Eureka, according to Reynolds.
Wooldridge turned to the right but struck the right front of the Cavalier. Reynolds said Wooldridge’s vehicle veered off the Cavalier and then struck the FedEx truck.
Reynolds said the FedEx truck struck the rock guard rail on the south shoulder, which ruptured the right side fuel tank spilling diesel fuel onto the roadway.
The FedEx truck continued over the guard rail and into Clear Lake. Reynolds said the truck and one of its trailers then caught fire.
Northshore Fire Protection District responded and extinguished the fire, Reynolds said. Reports from the scene early Friday morning had indicated that the fire had been contained to the big rig and the first trailer.
Caltrans also responded to the scene and contained the fuel spill to the roadway, said Reynolds. Radio reports had estimated has much as 200 gallons of fuel had been spilled. Reynolds said none of it reached Clear Lake.
A Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol unit also responded and assisted Northshore Fire in placing containment booms in the water, officials reported.
There were no injuries reported in the collision, Reynolds said.
Reynolds said the collision is still under investigation by CHP Officer Ryan Erickson.