Special delivery: no injuries as truck slides into post office after losing traction

Junaluska Thigpen, 28, of Oroville, was driving a 1999 black Ford F-250 northbound on SR-89 approaching Crescent Mills, at approximately 3:45 p.m. on Dec. 16. He was traveling at the stated speed of 45-50 mph.

According to the report released by the California Highway Patrol, Thigpen downshifted his vehicle to slow down as he entered Crescent Mills. This caused the rear tires of his vehicle to lose traction on the wet roadway. The Ford began to slide from left to right. The vehicle traveled to the left where the left front wheel contacted a snow berm that was located on the double yellow line of SR-89. This caused the Ford to travel to the left across the southbound lane of SR-89.

The Ford continued sliding uncontrolled in a northwesterly direction. The Ford traveled across the Crescent Mills Post Office parking lot. The right front of the Ford collided with two handrails that where located at the east entrance of the pot office. The Ford continued traveling in that northwesterly direction where the right front contacted the northeast corner of the post office, causing major damage to the building.

The Ford came to rest on its wheels facing in a southwesterly direction. During the traffic collision, Thigpen was wearing his lap and shoulder harness and was not using a cellphone.  Thigpen was not injured during this collision.

Customers have been told that their mail will be available in Quincy.