Trash truck kills pedestrian

BY COLBY FRAZIER
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

One man was killed and a woman suffered minor injuries after being struck by a Marborg Industries garbage truck at 6:29 a.m. yesterday at 500 E. Yanonali St.
Lt. Paul McCaffrey, a spokesman for the Santa Barbara Police Department, said Michelle D. James, 43, and the 53-year-old man that was killed had spent the night at the Rescue Mission, which is also located on the 500 block of Yanonali Street.


McCaffrey said investigators determined the 1994 Peterbilt garbage truck was traveling north on Calle Cesar Chavez and struck the two pedestrians as it was turning left onto westbound Yanonali Street.
He said the two pedestrians were attempting to cross Yanonali street from north to south about 30 feet west of Calle Cesar Chavez when the collision occurred.
“The area was lit by a street light posted at the intersection,” McCaffrey said. “As the Peterbilt truck rounded the corner, it struck the two pedestrians who were approximately midway across the street.”
He said James, who walks with a cane, was in front of the man when they were crossing the road. When the truck came around the corner, McCaffrey said the man was run over and James was thrust out of the path of the truck.
“The male pedestrian was run over and pronounced dead at the scene,” McCaffrey said.
He said the driver of the truck, 41-year-old Willie Glover, cooperated with the investigation and did not appear to be under the influence of any substance. He said Glover voluntarily provided a blood sample.
“Glover stated he did not see the pedestrians prior to the collision,” McCaffrey said.
He said Glover has a valid Class B driver’s license and was not cited at the scene. When the investigation is completed, McCaffrey said the District Attorney’s Office will review the results.
He said the name of the victim is being withheld until his next-of-kin can be notified.