Orange County News

Caltrans Worker Fatally Hit by Tow Truck on I-5 in San Clemente

By July 23, 2024No Comments

A Caltrans worker was killed on Monday morning after being struck by a tow truck while cleaning up trash on the I-5 freeway in San Clemente.

The incident took place at approximately 9:35 a.m. on the northbound side of the freeway, near Avenue Palizado, according to California Highway Patrol Officer B. Kinsey.

The two Caltrans employees had stopped on the right shoulder to collect debris when a tow truck from the freeway service patrol veered off the road, hitting the Caltrans vehicle and fatally injuring one worker, Kinsey explained.

The tow truck driver’s reason for veering off the road is still unclear. He sustained minor injuries and was transported to Mission Hospital.

The collision’s impact caused the Caltrans vehicle to be thrown into the air, landing on a Nissan Rogue driving up the onramp. Both the Nissan driver and the second Caltrans worker suffered minor injuries, Officer Kinsey added.