COARSEGOLD – Road 415 was closed in both directions between Roads 416 and 400 for several hours this afternoon after a truck and trailer loaded with asphalt overturned on the sharp corner at Sesame Street.
According to witnesses, the truck was traveling at a high rate of speed just before the crash that left the driver pinned in the cab.
Alexander Sacros, 48, of Sacramento, was westbound on Road 415 in a 1995 Freightliner when the failure of his trailer brakes caused him to be unable to stop the vehicle. The accident happened just before 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26.
Witnesses reported that the driver looked like he was having trouble controlling the truck as he approached the tight, downhill curve. Both truck and trailer began rotating in the roadway, crossed the center line and rolled off the left side of the road, dumping a load of asphalt in the roadway and over the embankment.
Sacros had his leg pinned in the cab, and firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free him. He was then transported to Yosemite Lakes Park where SkyLife air ambulance landed at the baseball diamond and transported him to a Community Regional Medical Center with major injuries.
Cal Fire Engine 4285 responded along with Madera County Engine 10, Squad 10 and Engine 8, and Sierra Ambulance.
It took several hours to clean up the asphalt and haul away the truck and trailer, though it was not a hazmat situation.
The roadway was reopened at 4:45 p.m.
Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the accident.
