Redding Man Killed in Water Crash
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), late in the morning on June 17, 2021, a 25-year-old Redding resident sustained fatal injuries when his pickup truck left the roadway and traveled down an embankment, coming to rest in Little Cow Creek. The water crash accident occurred shortly before noon on Highway 299, east of Sugar Pine Camp Road.
Witnesses Report Erratic Driving
According to witnesses, the red Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck had been driven erratically in the moments leading up to the crash. It had been traveling west on Highway 299 at an estimated 60-65 mph before it left the road and ended up in the water. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
Initial Reports Corrected
An initial report on the CHP’s Traffic Incident page indicated that there were other occupants of the truck, but this was updated later in the day to reveal that the driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
The investigation into the accident is continuing, and anyone with further information should contact Redding CHP.
Escaping After a Water Crash
Having your vehicle plunge into water is a terrifying experience and the seconds following the event are crucial to the vehicle occupants’ survival. You must act immediately because soon, power windows will fail, and water will fill up the vehicle and tip it downward. Do not wait for the vehicle to reach the bottom, or you will likely drown. For a solo occupant, the steps to take are:
- Unlatch the seatbelt
- Roll down the window
- Get out and swim to the surface
Car Into Water Crash Statistics
Approximately ten percent of drownings take place in vehicles, and around 400 North Americans on average drown in vehicles every year. There are a number of reasons why a vehicle could end up in a body of water, including bad weather, slippery road surfaces, or a driver losing control of the vehicle.
Preparing Yourself for a Water Evacuation
A reasonable estimate for the amount of time you have to get yourself out of a vehicle that has crashed into a body of water is one minute. Power windows can fail within 30 seconds, though they sometimes operate for longer periods of time. If you are concerned about being trapped in water due to power window failure, there are tools you can buy to easily break a car window. Such a tool should be hung from the rearview mirror to keep it accessible if it is ever needed.
As with any type of emergency preparedness, going over the steps in your mind can help to prepare you in the event it was to ever happen. It would be a natural reaction to panic if your vehicle crashed into a body of water, but if you have regularly thought about the steps to take – seat belt, window, get out – you are more likely to remain calm and execute those life-saving steps.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below, uploaded by the Weather Channel, gives pointers on escaping a car submerged in water.
Redding Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Redding, California personal injury attorney. We are always saddened to report on fatal accidents in Northern California. They happen with alarming regularity. For nearly four decades, the skilled injury lawyers at our firm have helped Redding residents who have been injured as a result of negligence. We also advocate on behalf of families who have suffered the loss of a loved one in their wrongful death claims.
If you or your family has been affected by an accident caused by a negligent driver, the experienced injury lawyers at our firm are here to help. For free and friendly legal advice, call us at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400. If you prefer, contact us through our online form.
Photo Attribution:
mm llo [cs 648]