A Hollister man died during a work-related accident near Panoche
Road Tuesday morning when a 2-ton work truck overturned on top of
him, according to police.
Hollister – A Hollister man died during a work-related accident near Panoche Road Tuesday morning when a 2-ton work truck overturned on top of him, according to police.
Danny David Avila, 44, died due to massive blunt force trauma and the driver of the truck, 34-year-old Yvette Gonzales, of Hollister, was taken by ambulance to Hazel Hawkins Hospital with minor cuts and bruises, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Avila, who police said left behind a 13-year-old son, and Gonzales were attempting to deliver some type of supplies to a new construction site near Panoche Road just before 11am when Gonzales backed the truck into a large ravine, flipping it and ejecting Avila in the process, San Benito County Undersheriff Pat Turturici said.
The truck landed on Avila and he died instantly, he said.
Gonzales got out of vehicle and walked nearly two miles to a resident’s home on Panoche Road where she called for help, according to police reports. Investigators do not know why Gonzales failed to stop the truck before it rolled down the hillside, but reports indicated that the truck did not have seatbelts. Although the investigation is on going, police do not believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or
em*******@fr***********.com
