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AN OAK TREE fell on a pick-up truck driven by 48-year-old Bryan VanDeventer of Shingle Springs, killing the driver in an accident on Green Valley Road just east of Ponderosa Road on Tuesday morning. The passenger, in the back seat, was not injured and was picked up from the scene by his mother. Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene
A man was pronounced dead at the scene after a tree fell on his pickup truck while taking a male juvenile passenger to school Tuesday morning.
While driving westbound on Green Valley Road at about 40 mph at about 8 a.m. — witnesses said the man was taking his passenger to Rescue Elementary School — a “two-to-three foot tree” fell on the cabin of his white Ford F-150, said CHP Officer Quinn Cuthbertson, and “trapped the occupants inside.”
The tree was a large oak tree, Cuthbertson later said, that fell from the north shoulder. The driver took evasive action “and steered away from the tree, but was unable to avoid it,” Cuthbertson said. The tree crushed the cabin, causing fatal injuries to the driver but leaving the boy passenger unharmed. The male juvenile was of no relation, neither son nor stepson, Cuthbertson said.
The man, later identified as Bryan VanDeventer, 48, of Shingle Springs, was pronounced dead at 8:32 a.m., Cuthbertson said.
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
SusanDecember 05, 2012 - 8:46 am
Bryan was Breos step father. We will miss him. I love you Bry
SheerahDecember 05, 2012 - 11:32 am
Terribly insensitive of the Mt. Democrat to publish that this boy was not related in the context they did. Seems that the author went out of their way to point that out. These people were indeed a family. My thoughts and prayers to the family of Bryan. i'm very sorry for your loss
elishaDecember 05, 2012 - 12:28 pm
That's what officer Cuthbertson stated to the reporter, so I guess it was a misunderstanding. Tragice. Prayers to the family and kudos to the late Mr. Vandeventer for having the child in the backseat where elementary school children are most safe from an airbag deploying.
Shingle SeniorDecember 05, 2012 - 1:03 pm
How could this person be driving "westbound" on Ponderosa when Ponderosa runs north to south? Ah.....good old gum-shoe reporting...
James E.December 05, 2012 - 1:12 pm
I have a little compass in my home and whenever (not often) I look at it I'm always surprised where North is (my mental aim is about 30 degrees off). When I was assigned to Germany, the sun seemed to come up from the west and go down in the east. Weird, so can understand how Mr. Mayer might have trouble with a north/south road going west.
Cole MayerDecember 05, 2012 - 1:23 pm
Turns out I meant Green Valley, not Ponderosa - which explains the wrong direction. The accident happened just east of Ponderosa Road. Thanks for pointing that one out, Shingle Senior and James E.
Steve RogersDecember 05, 2012 - 10:08 pm
Such a traffic accident. Let's focus on the family and not the negative comments!
Kristy GreenDecember 05, 2012 - 11:14 pm
I work at Rescue School. It hurt me to see Brio and his family so heartbroken. Brio lost a significant person in his life... my heart goes out to this family <3 Bryan may you R.I.P.