San Clemente man critically injured in Toyota pickup collision with big rig

March 12, 2010 | By KPCC Wire Services | KPCC

A San Clemente man was critically injured today when the Toyota pickup truck he was driving crashed into a big rig delivery truck, but it was unclear whether the accident was a result of a vehicle deficiency, a sheriff's spokesman said.

The 44-year-old man was driving a 2000 Toyota Tacoma on El Camino Real about 8:25 a.m. when he turned into the driveway of a Ralphs grocery store and crashed into the big-rig delivery truck, said Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino.

The Tacoma appeared to have suddenly accelerated before hitting the truck, and there were no skid marks, so it appeared there were no attempts to brake, Amormino said.

He stressed that the cause of the accident was under investigation and did not want to speculate, noting he was getting more than the usual number of phone calls from reporters because the pickup truck was a Toyota.

"If this was a Chevy, no one would care," Amormino said.

The cab of the pickup became wedged under the delivery truck and it took about 30 minutes to extricate the driver, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Greg McKeown.

He was rushed to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo in a helicopter with significant head injuries that left him in critical condition, McKeown and Amormino said.

The delivery truck driver was unhurt, Amormino said.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas filed a consumer-protection lawsuit today against Toyota alleging the company sold defective vehicles.

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