Deadly Crash on Nord Avenue in Chico
A high-speed collision in Chico, California resulted in the death of a motorist on the morning of Sunday, July 25, 2021. The crash site was the bridge located on the 300 block of Nord Avenue at its intersection with State Route32/Walnut Street.
Details of the Fatal Incident
A call was received by Chico Police that reported an automobile crash followed by an explosion shortly after 7:00 a.m. Officers were immediately dispatched to the Nord Avenue crash site. When police and emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene, they found that the vehicle, reported by police to be a late model Nissan Frontier pick-up truck, was totally engulfed in flames. First responders put out the fire and found the remains of the driver inside the burned vehicle. Officers indicated that the driver’s identity will be determined through DNA results. They were able to confirm that the driver was the vehicle’s sole occupant.
The Investigation is Ongoing
The incident investigation was taken over by the Major Accident Investigation Team of the Chico Police Department. Officers were able to obtain footage from surveillance cameras in the area. Upon review of the video footage, investigators determined that the vehicle had been speeding – it was estimated to have been traveling at approximately 70 to 80 miles per hour at the time of the crash and it exploded on impact.
The driver’s DNA will be processed by the Butte County Sheriff’s Department in order to determine his or her identity.
Resulting Power Outage and Road Closure
Following the collision, a Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) power pole near the crash site ignited, which resulted in residents and businesses in the immediate area losing power. Personnel from PG&E were able to restore the power within an hour and a half.
The roads surrounding the crash site were closed for investigation and clean-up for around three and a half hours after the accident.
High Speeds Mean High Danger
The speed limit at Nord Avenue and Walnut is 35 miles per hour. If the estimated speed of the doomed vehicle based on surveillance video footage is correct, the driver was traveling at least two times the speed limit. It is unclear from the reports released what exactly the vehicle collided with, but the odds of surviving a head-on collision at 70 miles per hour are only around 25%. Of course, the violent crash caused the vehicle to burst into flames, which, when combined with the crash impact, created a non-survivable event.
Watch the YouTube video. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration created the clip below urging drivers to obey neighborhood speed limits.
Chico Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thanks for reading our report on this tragic single-vehicle crash on Nord Avenue in Chico, California. I am Ed Smith, and I am a Chico personal injury attorney. My team of injury lawyers has advocated for injured Chico residents for close to four decades. We have also represented grieving families who have lost a loved one due to wrongful death.
Speeding is a problem that just does not seem to be improving throughout Northern California. Every week we read reports of fatal car crashes where excessive speed played a role. If you have been injured due to the negligence of another motorist, or your family has lost a loved one in a car accident, it pays to have an experienced personal injury lawyer advocating for you. Not only will you know that your rights are being protected, but you can feel confident that the value of your claim will be maximized. To receive our compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice, reach out to us at (530) 392-9400. We also provide a toll-free line for those calling from outside the local area: (800) 404-5400.
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Photo: Pixabay
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