This past Sunday in Ceres, located about 35 miles south of Stockton and near Modesto, a red passenger sedan exiting Highway 99 slammed into a shell gasoline pump station. When the vehicle crashed into the gas pump, a fire sparked, and the individual driving was left trapped inside the car.
Ceres Fire Department
Upon notification of the incident, the Ceres fire department dispatched four separate fire divisions to the vehicle crash scene. Upon arrival, the fire department subdued the flames before they could spread to other buildings and property. Thankfully the result of the crash engaged the gas pump safety systems, and there were no injuries reported. You can view the footage for this incident here.
Gas Pump Safety
While this incident resulted in zero injuries, this is a best-case scenario. Included below is a list of safety precautions that everyone can take to reduce fire risk at the gas pump.
- Before pumping gas, make sure to turn off your vehicle engine and put your vehicle in park.
- Disable or turn off any potential ignition sources such as cigarette car lighters or pilot lights.
- Do not light matches, lighters, or smoke while refueling at the pump or when using gasoline in any other circumstance.
- Avoid re-entering your vehicle and lessen any potential static electricity buildup before reaching for the nozzle by touching something metal in your bare hand.
Exiting Highway Safety
In the instance of this unfortunate occurrence in Ceres last Sunday, the driver of the red sedan that plowed into the gas pump is lucky to have been left unscathed without injury. The cause of this accident was the driver’s speed when they exited Highway 99. Below is a list of safety precautions that everyone should know to exit off the highway safely.
- Before reaching your desired exit, make sure to enter the exit lane well before the off-ramp to avoid making sudden or high-speed maneuvers to exit.
- Activate your turning signal to let other drivers know of your intent to merge into the exit lane and which way you intend to turn while exiting the highway.
- Enter the deceleration lane, then lower your speed gradually before merging into the exit lane to avoid sudden braking.
- Keep a lookout for posted speed signs that indicate a safe level of speed for exiting off the highway. Also, be prepared to follow local traffic signals once you have safely left the roadway.
Additionally, here are some more tips for summer drivers to help prepare for safe travel on the highways directly from the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Conclusion
This past Sunday in Ceres, located about 35 miles south of Stockton and near Modesto, a red passenger sedan exiting Highway 99 slammed into a shell gasoline pump station, starting a fire. Despite the situation, safety features prevailed. A problem that could have easily resulted in extreme personal injury, death, and property damage ended with zero injuries. Thanks to the Ceres fire department’s quick response time and gas pump safety mechanisms. If you or a loved one has experienced a personal injury due to a vehicle-related crash, please seek professional help from our qualified car accident attorneys in Stockton at Eason and Tambornini, visit our website or give us a call to schedule your free consultation
