Man Loses Control of Truck and Goes Over Cliff
On the afternoon of Monday, September 27, 2021, a 39-year-old man from Ukiah was killed when he lost control of the pickup truck he was driving, and it plunged off a cliff in Mendocino County, pursuant to reports from the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Details of the Deadly Incident
The tragic road accident took place just prior to 4:00 p.m. on California Highway 1, between the cities of Albion and Mendocino, south of Frog Pond Road.
Based on the initial investigation, it is believed that the man was driving northbound in his 1982 Dodge pickup truck when he became unable to safely negotiate a sharp turn because he was driving too fast. This information comes from a CHP press release.
After losing control of the pickup, the man traveled across both highway lanes and proceeded over the side of the road. The Dodge truck rolled several times and slid down about 200 feet of the cliff. It landed on its roof, and then burst into flames, reports the CHP.
Additional Factors in the Accident
The 39-year-old driver did not have his seatbelt on. He sustained fatal injuries in the crash. He has not yet been identified, and investigators have not determined whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Dangers on Curvy Mountain Roads
Driving on a curvy mountain road is not like those commercials for expensive sports cars. Curvy roads can cause all sorts of traffic accidents, especially if a driver does not exercise additional caution. Steering through curves requires vigilance and can result in a loss of vehicle control. With that in mind, here are some safety tips for driving on curvy mountain roads:
- Decrease your speed. The majority of accidents that occur on curvy roads could have been prevented if the driver had reduced the speed of the vehicle. Be aware of road signs that warn of curves ahead and slow down in advance. Keep your speed below the limit as you approach and navigate through the curves.
- Do not steer aggressively. Drive slowly and steer subtly.
- Do not veer toward either side of your lane while driving through a curve. This follows the above two tips. You want to stay away from the center line and keep an eye out for oncoming traffic that is also driving through the curves in the opposite direction. If they are driving too far over in their lane, there is a risk of a head-on crash.
- Avoid aggressive braking or steering overcorrection. Both can cause a loss of vehicle control while navigating a curve.
- Accelerate only when you are out of the curve. Once you have safely completed the curve, that is the right time to engage the accelerator and begin to increase your speed. Speeding up too early presents a risk of skidding.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below instructs on safely driving curvy mountain roads.
Ukiah Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello and thank you for reading our report on this tragic accident that killed a man from Ukiah. My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a Ukiah personal injury lawyer. Traffic collisions happen every day on the roads and highways surrounding Northern California. Those accidents often cause injuries, and some fatal car crashes result in wrongful death. If you have been injured or your family has suffered a loss due to a car accident caused by another motorist’s negligence, reach out to our experienced injury lawyers for help. To receive our free and friendly legal advice, call us at (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900.
For nearly four decades, our firm has been advocating for injured Northern Californians. Have a look at our settlements and verdicts page and read reviews from our prior clients at the sites linked below:
Photo: by Andres Uran on Unsplash
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