Driver Must Wait to Return

Mr. Meza, the collector, is expected to be out for the next five days, Charles Herbertson, the Public Works Director, told thefrontpageonline.com. Meanwhile, the driver awaits the outcome of the police investigation — perhaps early next week. Mr. Vasquez has been cleared to return to work, Mr. Herbertson said. But the driver has been placed on administrative leave, pending the investigation results. “This is routine procedure,” Mr. Herbertson said. It is not yet known whether the driver lost control or if there was another cause. Officials said mandatory drug testing is conducted following mishaps. Transportation Director Steve Cunningham told thefrontpageonline.com that truck accidents of this type are so rare “I can’t remember the last time one occurred.” Environmentally, the mishap could have been more serious if the sanitation had run instead on diesel fuel, Mr. Herbertson said. The huge truck came to rest “directly next to a catch basin that goes into Ballona Creek. Had the truck been diesel, there could have been leakage, and that would have caused contamination to the Creek.”

The Preferred Choice

Traveling a commercial trash pickup route, Mr. Vasquez was driving one of six compressed natural gas trucks assigned to business rounds. For two reasons, Mr. Herbertson said, compressed natural gas vehicles are preferable. “They are better for air quality,” he said, “and they make us less dependent on foreign fuels.”

Route of the Mishap

Mr. Vasquez and Mr. Meza were in the middle of their shift when Mr. Vasquez steered the 17-ton truck from Duquesne onto Jefferson, just east of Culver City Park. “Because of the weight involved, turns need to be made very cautiously,” Mr. Herbertson said. He does not know yet whether the truck is repairable. “I could not tell about the state of the frame,” Mr. Herbertson added. Such a vehicle is believed to be capable of bearing a maximum of 28 tons, three more than it was believed to be carrying.