Big rig driver dies in crash after apparent medical episode on I-5 in Woodland

The driver of a tractor-tractor died on Interstate 5 in Woodland when their rig crashed after an apparent medical episode, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The fatal collision happened just after 4 p.m. on the southbound interstate just south of East Main Street, according to CHP dispatchers. A caller to dispatchers said they were on the phone with the driver before the crash and that the driver may have been stricken while behind the wheel.

Officers from the patrol’s Woodland office closed the ramp from County Road 102 onto I-5 and the slow lane of southbound I-5 about 4:40 p.m. as Yolo County coroner’s officials headed to the scene. It was not immediately known when the lane and ramp will reopen.

Yolo County coroner’s officials will identify the tractor-trailer’s driver after notifying next of kin.

Darrell Smith

The Sacramento Bee

916-321-1040

Darrell Smith is a local reporter for The Sacramento Bee. He joined The Bee in 2006 and previously worked at newspapers in Palm Springs, Colorado Springs and Marysville. Smith was born and raised at Beale Air Force Base and lives in Elk Grove.