California man killed when car strikes tractor-trailer

Friday, Jan. 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

The rig was stopped on the shoulder of Interstate 15, about 22 miles south of Las Vegas.

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Steve Harney said the victim was in the northbound lane when his car suddenly veered to the right, ramming under the trailer rig.

Harney said the victim died instantly of massive head injuries.

A tractor-trailer rig belonging to DATS Trucking was northbound when the driver, Douglas Mitchell, 45, of St. George, Utah, pulled onto the shoulder to check for a flat tire.

Harney said a 1984 Mazda driven by Galindo veered onto the shoulder and under the trailer.

Mitchell was not injured in Thursday's accident.

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