Box truck crashes into tree on Interstate 5 in San Joaquin County, killing 2
STOCKTON – Two passengers died after a two-axle box truck crashed into a tree on Interstate 5 south of Thornton on Thursday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol said.
The crash happened at about 12:40 p.m. on southbound I-5 north of Peltier Road.
The CHP said the driver said he was driving about 65 mph when he moved into the left lane. But the driver said he went too far and onto the shoulder, leaving the west side of the road and into the dirt, the CHP said.
The truck traveled along the shoulder before it struck a large tree, the CHP said. The tree peeled back the right side of the cab all the way to the box.
The right rear passenger and right front passenger were ejected from the truck, the CHP said. It's believed they were wearing seat belts.
One of the passengers died at the scene while the other was taken to the hospital where he later died, officers said. They have not been identified.
One other passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries and the driver sustained minor injuries.
DUI is not suspected to be a factor.