5 hours Ago By Victor Valley News Group
VICTORVILLE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A semi truck crashed through freeway fencing and burst into flames early this morning on Southbound Interstate 15 in Victorville, destroying both the vehicle and a nearby large tree.
The accident occurred just south of the Victorville Superior Courthouse and left the semi truck fully engulfed in fire. At around 10:12 AM, the Fire Dispatch Center received multiple reports of a traffic accident involving a vehicle on fire between Roy Rogers and Palmdale. In response, the fire department quickly deployed an engine company, a squad, a ladder truck company, a battalion chief, and a ground ambulance from AMR.
Joshua Sprague, Battalion Chief for the City of Victorville, explained in an interview with VVNG, “We initially responded with an engine company, a squad, and a ladder truck company, along with a battalion chief. Based on the nature of the incident, we upgraded with additional ground ambulances to meet the mission if there were more than one occupant.” Upon arrival, responders found the cab of the semi truck fully involved in flames, with a flatbed trailer still attached, and its cargo – a second trailer – on top of it.
Firefighters quickly initiated fire attack operations and worked alongside AMR personnel to treat the truck’s sole occupant. The driver was transported to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in stable condition.
As the fire burned, diesel fuel from the truck’s silo tanks leaked, but fortunately, most of it was consumed in the flames, limiting hazardous material concerns. The collision also caused a significant impact to a large pine tree, estimated to be over 40 years old. The tree absorbed much of the force from the crash, preventing more serious damage to nearby infrastructure, including the Victorville Superior Courthouse and adjacent facilities.
Sprague mentioned, “The tree took the brunt of it, saving the building from a direct collision. The structure could have been severely impacted, but thanks to the tree, it was spared.” The fire also resulted in the closure of lanes near the courthouse as emergency crews worked to remove the large tree and clear the area.
A local wildland hand crew assisted in taking down the tree, which was in the way of reopening traffic lanes behind the courthouse and allowing for emergency vehicle access. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating the cause of the crash, which originated on the freeway, while the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department provided support at the scene. Only the truck driver was injured in the incident.
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