A San Luis Obispo man escaped a vehicle fire that consumed most of his belongings when the rental truck he was driving overturned and burst into flames Tuesday morning in Santa Maria on northbound Highway 101, report news sources.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the 9:40 a.m. accident occurred when a 2001 Toyota Sienna minivan traveling in front of the Budget Truck Rental vehicle braked suddenly and veered toward the right lane from the center lane, supposedly in response to erratic actions of an unidentified vehicle. The moving truck then braked hard, causing the box truck to spin out of control. The minivan stuck the moving truck, causing the truck to overturn on to its driver side and sparking a fire.
As the truck’s cab began to burn, the truck’s driver, a 32-year-old physical therapist, unfastened his seatbelt and climbed unharmed out the passenger side window to safety. He had been moving from Santa Barbara where he had been living for the last two years back to his childhood home of San Luis Obispo.
The minivan driver, a 31-year-old Orcutt woman, and three passengers—a 37-year-old Casmalia woman and two boys ages 6 and 3—were also unhurt in the accident.
The CHP is looking for the erratically moving vehicle that apparently triggered the accident.
I am relieved that no one was hurt in the accident. Being a Ventura personal injury attorney, I’ve worked with many people who have lost everything due to the actions of another. If you or someone you care about has suffered injury or loss due to the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to learn what options are available to help you get back on your feet.
