Solo vehicle rollover on icy Highway 70 west of Blairsden

Esaul Aguilar, 45, of Reno was driving his 1998 red Ford Ranger pickup truck westbound on SR-70 approaching Sierra Springs Drive at a stated 55 mph Dec. 18 at approximately 7:29 a.m.

According to the California Highway Patrol, this location was covered in a thin layer of icy, compacted snow, which is normal this time of year. As Aguilar drove over the icy roadway, the rear tires of the Ranger lost traction with the roadway and the Ranger began fishtailing. Aguilar could not regain control of the Ranger and the Ranger slid out of the westbound lane, across the eastbound lane, and onto the snow covered south dirt shoulder of SR-70 while rotating in a counter-clockwise manner. The front of the Ranger then impacted with a dirt embankment on the south shoulder and rolled over onto its top.

The Ranger came to rest on its top facing east on the south shoulder. Aguilar and his passenger (Mr. Venegas) were able to exit the Ranger on their own and then they waited for emergency personnel to arrive.

Aguilar and Venegas had been wearing their seatbelts and Aguilar suffered only minor injury as a result.