Fatal Dump Truck Crash Near Yolo County Landfill

Fatal Two–Dump Truck Collision Near Yolo County Central Landfill; Cal-OSHA Leads Investigation

One person was killed Wednesday morning, December 10, 2025, after a collision involving two dump trucks near the Yolo County Central Landfill. According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash was reported shortly after 7:20 a.m. on County Road 28H, roughly four miles northeast of downtown Davis. Initial reports indicated one dump truck overturned onto another, resulting in fatal injuries to the occupant identified at the scene. Emergency personnel from the Davis Fire Department responded to assist with extraction, and the Yolo County Coroner’s Office was called. CHP’s Woodland office later confirmed that Cal-OSHA has taken over the investigation due to the apparent occupational nature of the incident. The victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin. The investigation remains ongoing.

This tragic incident underscores the inherent risks associated with commercial trucking and worksite operations, where heavy vehicles, limited maneuvering space, and dynamic work conditions can heighten the potential for severe outcomes. Below, we discuss what is known about the crash, how investigations of commercial and workplace-related truck collisions typically proceed in California, and what steps individuals and families may consider after a serious crash.

What We Know So Far

- Time and location: The crash occurred shortly after 7:20 a.m. on December 10, 2025, along County Road 28H near the Yolo County Central Landfill.
- Vehicles involved: Two dump trucks.
- Reported sequence: Preliminary reports indicate that one dump truck overturned onto another.
- Response: Davis Fire Department responded with extraction efforts; the Yolo County Coroner’s Office was called to the scene.
- Investigation: Because the crash appears work-related, Cal-OSHA has taken the lead in the investigation, with CHP documenting the traffic-collision aspects.
- Status of victim: One person was pronounced deceased. Identity is pending notification of family.

Why Cal-OSHA and CHP Involvement Matters

Workplace-related motor vehicle incidents often trigger overlapping investigations:
- CHP focuses on the traffic collision, including roadway conditions, vehicle movements, driver factors, and potential violations of traffic laws.
- Cal-OSHA examines workplace safety factors, such as employer safety policies, training, supervision, equipment condition, load securement, worksite controls, and whether occupational safety standards were followed.

Cal-OSHA’s findings may address whether the employer’s practices complied with California safety standards. This can be significant in understanding the broader context of the incident, including training protocols, pre-trip inspections, spotter use, safe backing procedures, and policies around operating in confined work zones.

Common Causes in Dump Truck and Worksite Collisions

While the specific causes in this incident remain under investigation, dump truck and worksite collisions frequently involve:
- Stability and rollover risks: Shifting loads, uneven terrain, soft shoulders, or raised beds can lead to rollover events.
- Limited visibility: Large blind spots around heavy trucks increase the risk of collisions during backing, turning, or lane changes.
- Confined work areas: Landfill and construction zones often require tight maneuvers near other equipment and personnel.
- Load securement and weight distribution: Improperly secured or imbalanced loads can destabilize a vehicle.
- Equipment maintenance: Brake, suspension, tire, and hydraulic issues can contribute to loss of control or equipment failure.
- Communication and spotter protocols: Breakdowns in communication or absence of spotters can lead to preventable collisions.
- Fatigue and scheduling pressures: Early hours and tight schedules can contribute to human error.

Worksite collisions involving heavy trucks require coordinated investigations into both traffic-related factors and workplace-safety compliance. Cal-OSHA’s involvement signals that issues such as training, equipment condition, load securement, and employer safety practices will be key elements of the review. Meanwhile, CHP will assess roadway dynamics, driver behavior, and any violations of California traffic laws.

Avian Law Group has extensive experience handling wrongful-death and catastrophic-injury cases arising from industrial vehicle operations, including those involving overlapping Cal-OSHA and law-enforcement inquiries. If your family needs help understanding your rights, evaluating potential claims, or protecting evidence, our attorneys are here to assist. Contact us for a no-obligation case evaluation.