Overturned truck spills oil, closes Highway 14 north of Mojave
Highway 14 north of Highway 58 has been closed due to an accident involving a truck carrying 7,000 gallons of unrefined motor oil.
The accident took place at 10:05 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15. At this posting the highway remains closed.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident involved a 1999 Peterbuilt pulling a trailer loaded with oil. The vehicle, driven by Nathaniel Nahinu, 52, of Sparks, Nev., was traveling northbound on Sierra Highway through the town of Mojave when the driver turned the vehicle to the right to travel northbound on Highway 14.
The CHP said the speed of the vehicle in addition to the wet roadway caused the driver to lose control. The truck ended up on its side and caused the trailer to rupture and spill its entire load of oil.
Nahinu was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital with major injuries and clean-up of the roadway continues. Cal Trans indicates that the roadway should be open at about 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15.
The California Highway Patrol reminds drivers to please slow down during wet and stormy weather.
