Accident between pickup, semi-trailer injures three
–A crash Tuesday morning on Highway 46 East near Jardine Road in Paso Robles has caused major injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The crash happened about 11 a.m. and was between a pickup truck and a semi-truck.
41-year-old Atascadero resident Rafael Palacios was driving a Toyota Tacoma pickup pulling a one axle utility trailer full of garbage. Palacios made a left turn from Jardine Road to eastbound Highway 46 East. Palacios failed to enter the acceleration lane next to the median to safely merge on to 46 East. Palacios went across all lanes into the righthand lane directly into the path of a Freightliner big rig combination driven by 44-year-old Salinas resident Godofredo Lainez.
The Freightliner struck the back of the utility trailer which then struck the back of the Tacoma pickup. The Tacoma separated from its trailer and rolled over onto its left side trapping the occupants and blocking the eastbound lanes. The passengers were extricated by Cal Fire personnel and the roadway was cleared and reopened by the CHP.
All occupants of the Toyota were transported to Sierra Vista, Hospital, one with major injuries. Cal Trans responded to remove the garbage from the collision scene.
