VEHICLE COLLISION: Collision between Pickup and Big Rig kills One in Highway 99

December 4, 2010

Yuba City – A collision between a pickup and a big rig Friday morning on Highway 99 left a driver dead and his passenger severely injured, authorities said.

The accident occurred at about 9:50 am south of Bogue Road, when a Ford Ranger on the northbound lane of the highway veered into oncoming traffic on the southbound, according to California Highway Patrol.

The driver of the pickup swerved into a big rig. Matthew Vaz, 44, the driver of the truck registered to Sunnyside Farms in Turlock, swerved onto the right shoulder to avoid hitting the pickup. The Ranger eventually hit the left front of the truck and spun under the trailer.

The driver of the Ranger, who did not have his seatbelt on, was ejected out of the car and onto the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

His passenger, Teresa C. Malone, 50, suffered critical injuries and was transported to Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville. A hospital spokeswoman said she is now in stable condition.

The big rig driver was not injured.

A third vehicle that was behind the big rig sustained minor damage due to the debris after the collision. No one in the car was injured. Highway 99 was closed for more than two hours because of the accident.