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Big Rig Crashes Into Apartment Building, Waking Up Residents

by Jana Ritter - Published: 5/01/2017

It was a rude awakening for the sleeping residents of a California apartment building when an 18-wheeler plowed into the two-story structure at around 6 am on Sunday morning.

                                                                truck driver crashes into building

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“I thought it was an earthquake,” said Josefina Estrada, 40, who was jolted awake when the massive vehicle rammed into the second-floor unit where she lives with her five children. The shocking incident occurred in the 600 block of East Imperial Highway in Fullerton, CA where dozens of shaken residents and neighbors immediately started gathering outside the apartment complex gawking at the cab wedged inside what used to be the Estrada’s home.

                                                                 family unit destroyed by big rig

According to Fullerton Police Sgt. Jon Radus, the initial investigation has revealed that a Volvo tractor-trailer, belonging to Bhandal Bros. of Hollister, was being driven by a 44-year-old truck driver and a 42-year-old female passenger was riding with him. The truck was heading eastbound on the 600 block of the Imperial Highway and traveling within the posted speed limit when it suddenly veered from the No. 3 lane, struck the south curb, and then hit the apartment building. Investigators are still trying to determine what exactly caused the truck to suddenly and drastically go off course.

Fortunately nobody was killed in the incident but the truck driver and passenger were both transported to UCI Medical Center with serious injuries. Andy Castro-Aguilera, who lives in the complex and is CPR certified, immediately ran outside to see if he could help. He found the truck driver lying on the ground outside the cab and said it appeared that he had passed out. “I felt for his pulse and vitals,” Castro-Aguilera said. “Then the man suddenly opened his eyes and sounded panicked asking, ‘Where’s my girlfriend?’”

The Fullerton Fire Department surveyed the damage and couldn’t believe how lucky the occupants of the smashed unit were to survive this. Estrada only had minor injuries from drywall falling on her and her 2-year-old daughter who was sleeping in the room with her was unharmed. Her 18-year-old son, Christian was awakened by the noise and ran to check on his mother and toddler sister, and also his 13-year-old sister, Crystal, who was also sleeping in the apartment and unharmed. But perhaps the biggest stroke of luck was finding out that his 16-year-old brother, Jesus, whose bed was in the exact section of the apartment that was completely taken out by the truck, happened to have spent the night at their cousin's.  “I wouldn’t be talking to you right now if I had slept in my own bed,” Jesus said.

A 40-year-old man in a second damaged unit also suffered minor injuries and five apartments were evacuated. "A total of five apartments in the complex were evacuated, and they have been deemed uninhabitable due to safety concerns," Radus confirmed. “It’s a miracle that no one inside the building was seriously hurt.”

Anyone with information about the collision should contact Fullerton Police Accident Investigator Corporal S. Bailor at (714) 738-6813. Anonymous callers can contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1(855) TIP-OCCS or www.occrimestoppers.org.


Stephen Johnson
Stephen Johnson
I have seen alot of things like this .... i really dont think it will " buff out " ... those look like pretty deep scratches in the paint ... but on the good side "duct tape " should be able to hold it for awhile. ...
Ronald Wilson
Ronald Wilson
Apparently fell asleep at the wheel; hitting the curb with the right front steer tire caused the sudden veering into the apartment complex. The driver evidently was not wearing a seat belt, which is why he was knocked out, and found on yhe ground next to the truck.
Ann Ruiz
Ann Ruiz
Dont assume anything until investigation over
Ann Ruiz
Ann Ruiz
Did it get the steering recall fixed. Dont blame sleep or elogs before the facts.
Red Dove
Red Dove
Depending on the year there is a recall on Volvos with the steering column. It could come apart while driving. My 2017 VN780 was part of the recall and Volvo actually contacted me through the truck and told me to shut down the truck immediately. This was last year. They had paid for the towing and everything. If this was the case then the company could be in big trouble because that truck should of been fixed.
Ann Ruiz
Ann Ruiz
I agree. But sometime a few miss the call. And i hate assumptions before facts. Driver not charged with dui or dwi. All is unknown till follow up.
Brad Miles
Brad Miles
1. Read the name on the side of the truck. 2. Realize why it crashed.
Christina Tassell
Christina Tassell
Yep I get it
Ray Bowser
Ray Bowser
Yep , they've been in a lot of mean crashes ! Too bad they don't shut them down forever !
Matthew Lewis
Matthew Lewis
Looks like the truck is on the ground. Article says was in the second floor appt
Ronald Wilson
Ronald Wilson
That's because the truck hit both the first and second floor! That truck is at least 13 feet high, and 1st floor apartments are 10 feet!
Jason Puniak
Jason Puniak
Name says it all. Bonzai bros would've been more appropriate tho
Ronald Wilson
Ronald Wilson
WHAT Steering Recall? If there was one, that truck should never have been on the road! I'm not buying that excuse.
John King
John King
We as drivers don't hear about recalls until we get out trucks into the shop for service. Also a lot of these recalls come out after a truck has been serviced and it could be up to 6 months depending on service schedule before it is seen again in a repair bay.
Gerald Shafer
Gerald Shafer
Oobla Boobla Trucking. We now deliver to Apartments, no dock necessary.
Ray Bowser
Ray Bowser
Been on that road a lot , very narrow & curvy ! Must of been distracted ! Or the sun in his face ! God must of been watching over this crash !
CA Husted
CA Husted
Must + Have = must've
Gail Barie
Gail Barie
Some very lucky people there. Angels must have been with them all.
Kenny Holliday
Kenny Holliday
Desk clerk said he saw it real good he never hit the brakes and he was shifting gears
James Duncan
James Duncan
Damn foreigners look at name on truck
Dean Murphy
Dean Murphy
Allah take the wheel
Gerald Nulisch Jr.
Gerald Nulisch Jr.
Home wrecker
Matt Stewart
Matt Stewart
Lol Damn elogs
Gerald Shafer
Gerald Shafer
His towel fell down over his eyes.
Wes Boettcher
Wes Boettcher
Now that's a wake up call!!!
Walter Baucom
Walter Baucom
Damnit,there goes my safety bonus.
Mark Kta Smith
Mark Kta Smith
THE PROBLEM???-----------CDL
Chris Currie
Chris Currie
Was his zipper up or down ?
Ray Sewell
Ray Sewell
Fell asleep simple
Brenda Jones
Brenda Jones
Maybe a medical condition...prayers
Rodney Hoskinson
Rodney Hoskinson
1 Adam 12 all units respond
Bruce M Balistreri
Bruce M Balistreri
Driver error would be my guess ok !!
Ronald Wilson
Ronald Wilson
Not a heart attack. He wouldn't have been alive then.
Larry Raper
Larry Raper
Raghead trucking it looks to be
Eddy Kelly
Eddy Kelly
Moma is in the graveyard Papa is the pen
Jeffrey Michalesko
Jeffrey Michalesko
Vince Baloga
John Duffey
John Duffey
refusing to sleep?
Kenny Holliday
Kenny Holliday
Hope dot digs deep into company
Gregory Jackson
Gregory Jackson
Drugs
Rebecca Mohoroski
Rebecca Mohoroski
#blowjob
Christina Tassell
Christina Tassell
Heart attack comes to mind
Wesley Wells
Wesley Wells
Needs to be on twisted true ker
Carl Schwettmann Sr
Carl Schwettmann Sr
I'm surprised it was not a Swift truck !!!
Mak Freeze
Mak Freeze
she must have bitten his dick too hard,,,,,
Bernice Horton
Bernice Horton
investigate THE COMPUTER THEY CAN BE HACKED
John MD Kessner
John MD Kessner
Hmmmmm
Steven Resatar
Steven Resatar
Tammy Andersen Wilcox Terry Eveleth Rory Sturm Bob Keel Mandy McBrian-Wooten