Santa Maria, CA (May 6, 2024) A tragic and horrific accident involving a forklift claimed the life of 39-year-old Tiffany Ann Peterson on Thursday, May 2nd. The Orcutt resident was riding in the passenger seat of her father’s pickup when the accident occurred near the Santa Maria Public Airport on Skyway Drive. Her father, Charles Peterson, was injured in the accident. David Baskett, an 81-year-old man, was driving the forklift and told authorities he had rented it and was returning it when the fatal accident took place.
A small, blue Dodge pickup truck was heading along Skyway Drive on May 2nd. Police officers believe that the heavy duty Caterpillar forklift was stopped near a stop sign at the intersection with its prongs raised high in the air. The forklift and the blue pickup truck somehow collided, causing damage on the passenger side, to the cab and windshield, according to reports.
The Santa Maria Police Department arrived at the scene and found the damaged pickup truck in the roadway. Paramedics rushed to give emergency medical care to them, but sadly found Tiffany Ann Peterson unresponsive. With heavy hearts, they pronounced hear dead at the scene and called a coroner. Her father, Charles Peterson, sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries in the collision and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Officers are investigating this collision to determine what exactly happened on Skyway Drive that day. The loss of a life is never easy to accept and officers hope to find answers. Tiffany Ann Peterson’s family has created a GoFundMe account to help them cover the cost of Peterson’s funeral.
All of us at Accident News Now extend heartfelt sympathies to the family of Tiffany Ann Peterson following this tragic accident. If you or someone you know has been affected by this collision, our team of legal advisors is here to help. You can reach them at your convenience, day or night.
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