Fatal Traffic Accident Closes Hwy 395 in Bridgeport
To: All News Outlets
From: Jennifer Hansen, Public Information Officer
Date: May 14, 2013
RE: Fatal Traffic Accident on Hwy 395 in Bridgeport
On the early morning of Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at approximately 3:45 am, Mono County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a 911 call regarding a possible explosion. A single big rig semi-tractor trailer had failed to negotiate the turn at Hwy 182 and Hwy 395 in Bridgeport. The semi tractor-trailer went over the bridge, landing on the embankment of the East Walker River, where the big rig became fully engulfed in flames upon impact.
Mono County Sheriff’s Deputies, California Highway Patrol Officers, Bridgeport Fire Department, Mammoth Lakes Fire Department Hazmat Team, Mono County Paramedics, and Caltrans all responded to the scene. Upon arrival it was determined that the driver was killed in the crash. As of 6:20 am, fire crews are still working on putting out the big rig fire.
Until further notice, Hwy 395, both north and southbound, is closed out of Bridgeport. All traffic heading northbound towards Bridgeport will be detoured at Hwy 182, to Nevada 338, to Nevada 208, and back to Hwy 395. For those travelers heading southbound from Nevada, you will be detoured from Hwy 395, to Nevada 208, to Nevada 338, to Hwy 182 and back onto Hwy 395. All local roads will remain open at this time to help detour traffic around the crash site. Hwy 395 will remain closed until the accident scene is clear and the bridge is determined via Caltrans to be safe to drive over.
Updates will be available as the investigation into this accident is conducted. The California Highway Patrol will lead the investigation into the actual cause of the crash and will work in conjunction with Caltrans on the condition of the bridge and the re-opening of Hwy 395. The Mono County Sheriff’s Office will lead the investigation involving the death of the driver.
