Trucker killed in fiery Sonoma County crash

A 31-year-old Los Angeles man was killed Wednesday when the big rig he was driving veered off Lakeville Highway in Sonoma County, crashed into a row of eucalyptus trees and burst into flames, California Highway Patrol said.

The tractor-trailer was southbound on Lakeville Highway, south of Old Lakeville Road No. 2 near Petaluma, when it drifted onto the right shoulder, ran into a eucalyptus tree, and became engulfed in flames, he said.

Officials were investigating why the truck drifted off of the road, which is commonly used by truckers driving from Highway 101 to Interstate 80, Leon said.