Dump Truck Driver Dies In Crash On Highway 29 In Rutherford

NAPA VALLEY, CA — One person died and another person was rushed to a hospital Wednesday in a dump truck crash on state Highway 29 in Rutherford.

The fatal crash was reported shortly before 4 p.m. on northbound SR-29 at Manley Lane, the California Highway Patrol said.

A 23-year-old man from Santa Rosa was driving a 2016 International dump truck northbound, just south of Manley Lane, when for an unknown reason he made an unsafe turning movement toward the right shoulder, according to CHP.

The dump truck left the roadway and crashed into a concrete mailbox and metal guardrail, causing it to overturn and continue in a northeasterly direction where it crashed into a drainage culvert.

The passenger, a 61-year-old man from Vallejo, was ejected and landed on the dirt shoulder east of the freeway, according to CHP.

The truck came to rest on its wheels east of the highway, facing south.

The driver suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The passenger was rushed to Queen of the Valley Medical Center with major injuries.

After a preliminary investigation, CHP did not believe alcohol or drugs were factors but said neither the driver nor passenger were wearing seat belts.

Both lanes of SR-29 were briefly blocked after the crash. Authorities opened one lane but northbound SR-29 remained blocked until around 7 p.m.