Semi-truck inches away from striking ATM repairman in Burney bank crash on Thursday

I don't know the reason but I'm glad everything's okay.

BURNEY, Calif. — Kyle Hester of Palo Cedro was just inches away from being struck by this semi-truck traveling westbound on Highway 299 in Burney, Thursday morning.

He was in town repairing an ATM inside the US Bank—with three other bank workers—when the truck hit the corner of the building he was working on.

I was standing at the back of the ATM, but working on it, and I heard rumbling. And then, everything just, kind of, exploded,” said Hester. “It moved me back a couple of feet but everything else collapsed around and I was in a little two-foot circle but nothing happened.

But that wasn’t the case for everyone. The driver of the truck was airlifted to Mercy Medical Center with a gash to his head.

Diana and Patricia Garcia of Burney tell KRCR they were on their way to the bank just minutes before the crash happened and say they’re lucky to have missed the situation altogether.

We just came here to try to open an account for my daughter and, well, this is shocking to see; another crash happening in our town,” they said. “We’re definitely thankful; we’re definitely thinking that that didn’t happen when we were inside.

CHP officials say the semi was traveling 20-25 mph and say this could have well been a different story if he was going any faster. And for Hester, he never thought he would have to deal with something like this on the job but is feeling blessed to be walking away without a scratch.

I’ll probably process the rest of it later tonight and I’ll get back to work.

CHP officials say drugs and alcohol don’t look to be a factor in this crash, at this time. However, the cause is still under investigation.

--

To report errors or issues with this article please email the editorial team.