UPDATE: Vehicle recovery efforts continue after 299E big-rig rollover

UPDATED: Saturday, Feb. 9, 1:30 p.m., With additional details and photographs.

See original story and photos below.

BELLA VISTA — Efforts to recover and remove a wrecked big-rig tractor-trailer that overturned in Bella Vista yesterday afternoon are continuing today, after recovery efforts had to be temporarily suspended last night due to snow and inclement weather conditions.

The tractor-trailer combo, which are registered to Hilton Transport & Supply Co, have been pulled onto a wide shoulder along the section of highway where the crash happened, but the mangled wreckage remains in pieces at the scene.

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Yesterday’s minor-injury accident was reported around 1:30 p.m., and happened on SR-299E, east of Sugar Pine Camp Rd. Area residents and commuters reported the accident and subsequent vehicle recovery efforts caused delays of up to several hours.

According to yesterday’s CHP incident log, the driver of the overturned big-rig lost consciousness after the rollover, but CHP later said the driver’s injuries were considered minor.

Yesterday’s recovery efforts lasted all day and into the evening, but the area where the tractor-trailer overturned proved problematic for recovery efforts, due to heavy trees and thick foliage.

At one point during yesterday’s recovery efforts, officials at the scene requested two heavy-duty wreckers; as well as multiple chop saws, chain saws, and axes; to help clear the way for the truck to be pulled from the steep embankment where it overturned.

An SCNS staff photographer who was sent to the scene of yesterdays crash shortly before 1 p.m. this afternoon, photographed the ongoing recovery efforts and reported no significant traffic delays along the highway.

Click any image to open full-size gallery.

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Original and Updated Story: Traffic beginning to move after 299E big-rig rollover – vehicle recovery continuing

UPDATED: Friday, Feb. 8, 4:50 p.m., With road closure update.

BELLA VISTA — Officials remain at the scene of a rollover traffic accident involving a big rig that overturned down a steep embankment and is continuing to cause significant delays on Highway 299E, east of Sugar Pine Camp Rd.

Shortly before 4:30 p.m., three hours after emergency personnel were first dispatched to the single-vehicle crash, a CHP incident log updated that officers were about to begin one way traffic control, and that vehicle recovery efforts were continuing.

CHP, Shasta County Cal Fire, and other emergency personnel, were dispatched to the crash shortly before 1:30 p.m., after receiving a 911 call reporting a big-rig that left the roadway and overturned down an embankment.

CHP’s Copter H-16 soon reported finding a big-rig tractor overturned and off the roadway, but could not specify if a trailer overturned along with the tractor.

When ground units arrived they found the overturned big-rig just over the embankment, upside down and in heavy trees and foliage. The driver was reportedly trapped inside the tractor and had lost consciousness at some point after the rollover, but was alert and conscious at that time. It was not immediately known if the driver was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

As the victim was being treated, Cal Fire updated they were dealing with a significant fuel spill and California’s Office of Emergency Services was notified regarding the leak.

Two heavy-duty big-rig wreckers were requested and officials at the scene also requested tow personnel bring multiple axes, chop saws, and chain saws with them to assist with the rig’s recovery.

One of the vehicles stuck in the heavy back-up caused by the accident was a Shasta Union School District bus and shortly after 4 p.m., the district superintendent contacted CHP to inquire about the extensive delay and if the bus driver needed to seek an alternate route. The log did not indicate if any students were on the bus.

Although CHP could not provide a projected time when traffic might begin moving again at the time, their log indicated officers had begun one-way traffic control past the accident scene at 4:20 p.m.

Although officials remain at the scene of the accident, CHP’s incident log has indicated the driver of the truck sustained minor injuries in the crash.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information is available.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.