Powell Butte man killed in Calif. big-rigs crash

A 50-year-old Powell Butte man was killed and three people injured early Friday in a Northern California head-on crash involving two semi trucks, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Officers said Daniel Maciejewski of Garden City, Idaho was driving a rig east on Highway 299 west of Round Mountain when he reached a sharp right-hand curve going about 50 mph about 12:30 a.m. Friday.

They said a large container of discarded building materials and asbestos came off the flatbed trailer and landed in the oncoming lane, in the path of Todd Avila’s westbound truck.

Avila’s truck collided head-on with the trailer and he suffered fatal injuries. His cousin, Paul Avilia, 45, also of Powell Butte and a passenger in the truck, was injured, as was Maciejewski and his passenger, Thomas O’Berry, 44, of Star, Idaho. All were taken to the hospital and later released.

Avila’s load also dislodged into the eastbound lane, while Maciejewksi’s truck rolled onto its side, blocking both lanes.

The crash blocked Highway 299 for about nine hours and a hazardous materials team was called due to a large fuel spill on the highway and shoulder.

Officers said it did not appear that alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash, which was under investigation.

A friend said Avila (Clarence Todd Avila, though all knew him as Todd) was a well-known cattle and hay rancher in Powell Butte.