Brake Failure May Have Caused Crash

Calaveras County, CA — The CHP has released new information about a big rig accident that closed down Highway 49 for several hours on Tuesday.

Officer Michael Joslin reports that 57-year-old Michael Kidd of La Jacinto, California was driving the 2007 Freightliner just south of the Calaveras/Amador County line. “He stated that the brakes on the trailer failed, which is currently under investigation, and it caused the vehicle to go out of control and roll off the roadway,” says Joslin. “It went through the guardrail, and it ended up rolling over, and headed down the hill.”

A passenger, 56-year-old Tonia Kidd, was ejected from the sleep cab in the truck. She was later located 50 ft. from the vehicle. She was helped by emergency officials and flown to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto for treatment. Her injuries are described as “major.” Michael Kidd was taken to Sutter Amador to treat “moderate” injuries.

The crash happened at around 1:35pm. Highway 49 was completely shut down for several hours as crews removed wreckage from the accident. No other vehicles were involved in the crash.