A tragic incident in a California neighborhood has left residents stunned. The small town is searching for answers after an elderly woman was killed in an accident involving a garbage truck. The woman, 69, was decapitated. Keep reading to find out what we know about the tragic accident that left a family in shambles.
Elderly California Woman Decapitated By Garbage Truck
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, dump truck and garbage truck accidents account for nearly 6% of vehicle fatalities. In many cases, the deaths are a result of collisions between the trucks and other vehicles on the road. But sometimes, the deaths involve a pedestrian.
Maria Rubalcava, 69, was reportedly walking to the grocery store when she was hit by a garbage truck. Fox 11 and other outlets reported that the woman was decapitated and died immediately.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Bishop and Shelton streets in Santa Ana, California, on Wednesday, November 19. Police responded to the call around 8 a.m. that morning. When they arrived, they discovered that the garbage truck had struck and killed the elderly woman.
The police report said that the garbage truck driver stayed at the scene and was cooperative. “Based on the preliminary investigation, the trash truck was traveling eastbound on Bishop St. when it made a right turn onto southbound Shelton St. at the roundabout. The truck subsequently struck Rubalcava as she was crossing the street,” the official report on the incident stated.
Neighbors Point To Removal Of Stop Signs
Residents of the area told Fox 11 that speeding cars are an increased problem since the city put in the roundabout. While the circular intersections are meant to improve the flow of traffic, many drivers in the U.S. struggle to maneuver the roundabouts.
The neighbors told the news that the city removed the 4-way stop sign a year ago to put in the rotary. They said it only increased the number of accidents. The residents plan to ask the city to put stop signs back up at the intersection.
Crash Still Under Investigation
While the locals blame the city for the death of the elderly woman, the police still aren’t sure exactly what happened. They are still investigating the tragic accident. The garbage truck was towed from the scene after the accident.
Due to their height, it’s difficult for garbage truck drivers to see when pedestrians are right in front of the truck. Whether that played a role in the elderly woman’s shocking death is still in question.
Knowing the cause of the crash won’t bring much closure to the woman’s grieving family. The woman was reportedly beloved among the small community. Stay tuned for more details as they come out about this developing story.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger