On Friday, Dec. 18, at about 1:30 p.m., the Cottonwood Public Safety Communication Center received a report of an accident in the 800 block of State Route 89A, according to Cottonwood Police Cmdr. Gary Eisenga.
The accident involved a pick-up truck and a UPS semi-truck and trailer. Cottonwood Police officers responded to the scene. A 78 year old white male Cottonwood resident driving the pick-up was transported to VVMC where he was later pronounced deceased, according to Eisenga. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
A witness informed officers that the driver of the pick-up was traveling eastbound on State Route 89A in the lane closest to the sidewalk. The witness states he observed the driver slumped over the steering wheel as the truck began to cross all lanes of traffic, Eisenga stated. The front driver’s side of the pick-up then struck the rear tires of a UPS semi-truck trailer which was driving westbound on State Hwy 89A. The pick-up came to rest at the sidewalk of the westbound lanes.
The driver of the UPS truck told officers he saw the pick-up heading towards him. He attempted to speed up to avoid the collision but the pick-up struck the rear end of his trailer causing minor damage. The driver of the UPS truck was not injured.
This investigation is still in progress, Eisenga stated. Additional information will be provided pending notification of next of kin and results of the Medical Examiner’s office.
