SANTA CLARITA – One person was killed Wednesday and a Caltrans worker was injured in a collision on the northbound Antelope Valley (14) Freeway in Santa Clarita, the California Highway Patrol reported.
A Jeep and a Caltrans vehicle collided just south of San Canyon Road at around 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, CHP Officer Moises Marroquin said.
According to the CHP accident report, the Caltrans vehicle — a GMC3500 with a dump truck bed that was part of a sweeper operation — was traveling within the northbound center median when it was rear-ended by the Jeep.
The Jeep’s driver, an Agua Dulce man, sustained fatal injuries, according to CHP Public Information Officer Josh Greengard. His name has not yet been released pending next of kin notification.
The driver of the Caltrans vehicle, a Sylmar man in his 40s, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Henry Mayo Memorial Hospital for treatment, the CHP reported.
The crash shut down the carpool and number one lanes, triggering a SigAlert at 12:25 p.m. Marroquin said. The lane closures were expected to remain in effect for several hours, according to the CHP.
UPDATE: NBC4 reported from the scene the Jeep driver was an employee of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Authorities at the scene covered the driver’s body with an American flag.
UPDATE: The deceased was identified as Capt. Michael Shepard of Fire Station 132 in Canyon Country.
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Renee says
Having known Mike and his wife Kathy for years, my first thought was,”did he fall asleep?” He was NOT A CARELESS person or user of unsafe substances. Please don’t make assumptions.
Clint says
Condolences to the family of the driver who passed away. And I hope the Caltrans driver recovers well.
I drove past the accident a few minutes after it happened. I remember it was about a mile before Exit 6 into Canyon Country College. I could see the traffic was starting to build. Luckily I didn’t see anything major. I thought it was a single vehicle accident at first.
Hearing that it was a Jeep makes me a bit wary. I’ve always wanted a Jeep, but fatal accidents involving jeeps keep popping up on the news. Maybe it’s not a good idea.
Center Median says
According to CBS LA, LACFD Capt. Michael Shepard was the driver.
Aunt Debbie says
One less [removed] driver on the goddamn rode. Who the hell rear ends a [removed] TRUCK IN BROAD DAYLIGHT? I want all you apologists to explain that to me cause it doesn’t make any sense!!!
Dingus Malloy says
Calm down, Debbie, your keyboard rage isn’t healthy. There are lots of things in the world that do not make sense. Remember, nobody owes you an explanation. Accept it and move on.
Laughing says
Not an apologist, a realist here.
Could have been distracted – Current number one reason for collisions
Could have been swerving away from a different crap driver.
Could have had a medical episode.
Could have been driving impaired (medicine or other)
Could have dosed off.
Unless there was a camera that caught the driver before the incident, we will probably not know why.
On looker says
Thanks for thinking like a real human being. Accidents happen everyday to good people.