SANTA CRUZ — Update Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. The truck that caused the crash belongs to JVillas trucking, Inc, which lists an address at 144 Oakland Ave. in San Jose.
Investigators examining the truck have discovered that some of the truck’s braking systems were not properly adjusted, and that one was not working, according to CHP officer Sam Courtney.
According to a report on the U.S. Department of Transportation website, the company’s trucks failed 76 percent of 21 inspections in the past two years.
In addition, the truck was not registered for about one year before the crash, Courtney said.
A person who answered the phone Wednesday hung up when asked about the crash.
Update Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.: The driver who was behind the wheel of the truck that crashed into 21 vehicles at the intersection of River Street and Highway 1 Tuesday morning has been identified as Hector Castañeda, a 28-year-old San Jose resident.
Update Tuesday at 3:45 p.m.: The California Highway Patrol has reopened Highway 1 at River Street, five hours after a big rig smashed into 20 cars there.
Several firefighters, ambulances and police officers responded to a crash on Highway 1 at River Street after a big rig reportedly experienced brake trouble, struck 21 vehicles and then burst into flames just before 10 a.m.
According to CHP Officer Sam Courtney, Castañeda was driving the truck – a 1990 Peterbilt – southbound on Highway 17, and switched to Hwy. 1
According to California Highway Patrol Officer Grant Boles, the big rig was fully loaded with either dirt or clay when it hit the vehicles.
CHP Investigators were still measuring the scene and inspecting the truck Tuesday afternoon, in addition to interviewing the drivers whose vehicles were struck, CHP officer Sam Courtney said.
It was not clear Tuesday what caused the truck’s brakes to fail.
“This one is going to be under investigation for some time,” Courtney said.
Numerous ambulances responded to the incident. At one point, emergency dispatchers had sent eight ambulances. As of 11:25 a.m., 11 people were injured, three of them critically. The truck driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
“The collision is still under investigation, and potential charges will be addressed at the conclusion of the investigation,” Courtney said.
This story will be updated.
California Highway Patrol officers discuss the crash on Highway 1, which involved 21 vehicles and one big rig. (Contributed photo)
