New Colgate Powerhouse mudslide leaves truck stranded, driver without income for weeks
By Cecil Hannibal
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YUBA COUNTY, Calif. (KCRA) — A major pipe rupture at the New Colgate Powerhouse in Dobbins, Yuba County, has caused a mudslide, evacuations, and left a road completely washed out, leaving truck driver Cesar Garcia unable to work for almost two weeks as his rig remains trapped.
“My truck, trailer, and my equipment was at the bottom of the mountain when it happened,” Garcia said.
Garcia was picking up a load when the pipe rupture forced him to evacuate, leaving behind his truck and his only source of income.
“The fact that I can’t work and I’m just using my savings, it’s really putting a strain on our family right now,” he said.
Over the past two weeks, Garcia has contacted various agencies and companies involved, losing nearly $15,000 in potential earnings as bills pile up and his savings dwindle.
Willie Whittlesey from the Yuba Water Agency said, “This is an absolutely unfortunate situation, and we have spoken to Cesar about this situation.”
He explained that Garcia’s truck appears to be in fine condition, but the road is completely washed out, making it impossible to drive the truck out.
“We don’t have an exact time, we know that the contractor is going to start tomorrow…we don’t have an exact time of reopening the road,” Whittlesey said. “We feel bad for Cesar, and this incident has impacted all of us, and I feel terrible that he hasn’t been able to work, and if I could go down there and drive his truck out personally, I would.”
As contractors work to repair the road, Garcia said, “Bills are coming in, and I’m really struggling right now…I really am.”
He remains stuck in limbo, waiting to get his truck back.
“At this point, I don’t really know what else to do,” Garcia said.
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