UPDATE | The driver of a big rig whose shipping container came loose after striking a railroad crossing in Carson on Tuesday—crushing a Long Beach bicyclist to death—could possibly face charges, authorities said on Wednesday.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Craig Calzada of the Carson Station said the bridge was clearly marked as having a 14-foot, 5-inch clearance.
The height of the empty container is being examined by investigators, along with other factors, Calzada said.
Asked if the driver could face criminal charges, Calzada said, “It’s possible, once we conclude our investigation.”
Calzada said the driver was close to his destination, where he was scheduled to stop for the night.
The trucking company was identified by ABC7 as Utah-based Western Pride Inc. The station also reported that trucks in the past have narrowly fit under the bridge, with some actually scraping the bottom as they passed under it.
The bicyclist, Calzada said, was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
City News Service contributed to this report.
PREVIOUSLY: Long Beach Cyclist Crushed to Death by Shipping Container in Carson
10/28/15 at 10:03AM | A Long Beach man was killed on Tuesday when a big rig’s container came loose and slid off of its trailer, crushing the cyclist to death in Carson, authorities said.
Officials from the sheriff’s department’s Carson Station are investigating the incident, which was reported at 5:05PM on Tuesday, October 27, near Santa Fe Avenue and Warnock Way, said Melanie Flores, supervising dispatcher with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
“The container struck a bridge and got knocked off the trailer,” Flores said, describing how the trailer struck a railroad overcrossing. The container fell on its side, landing on top of the the cyclist on the sidewalk.
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office identified the victim as 51-year-old Long Beach resident Robert Castorena.
It was unclear if the driver was cited or could face possible legal action.
It was also unclear if the truck exceeded the posted height of the railroad bridge, or what other factors may have contributed to the container toppling off the truck onto the passing bicyclist.
City News Service contributed to this report.
This story was updated at 11:15AM.