A man was killed today when a semi truck struck him in the southbound lanes of Highway 29 near Hoffman Lane, less than a mile south of Yountville, authorities said. The collision happened at about 12:15 PM, and the southbound side of the highway was shut down while emergency crews and investigators worked the scene. The truck driver pulled over immediately after the impact and stayed at the site as California Highway Patrol officers responded.
According to The Press Democrat, CHP reported the crash and said the southbound lanes were expected to remain closed until at least 4 PM Drivers were urged to detour onto Solano Avenue while investigators documented the scene and crews cleared the roadway.
The Hoffman Lane intersection has now seen two traffic deaths this year. A motorcyclist, Francisco Bernard Padilla, 35, of Vacaville, was killed at the same spot on Feb. 28 after a collision with a Tesla, according to the Yountville Sun. That fatal crash, followed by today’s death, has sharpened local focus on safety along SR-29 near Yountville.
Safety Focus On Highway 29
Concerns about the Highway 29 corridor are not new. Local planners and transportation officials have been studying ways to cut down on severe crashes and make it safer for people walking along SR-29. The Napa Valley Transportation Authority and its regional partners have been weighing intersection upgrades, including possible roundabouts and traffic signal changes along parts of the route, according to project materials from the Napa Valley Transportation Authority.
Investigation Under Way
CHP officers are leading the investigation and are expected to conduct witness interviews, map vehicle positions and review other physical evidence to determine how the deadly collision unfolded. Per The Press Democrat, authorities did not immediately say whether impairment was suspected or if any charges might be considered as the case remains under review…