An investigation was launched when a man was killed in a freak accident Tuesday after a container fell from a big rig. Lolita Lopez reports for the NBC4 News at 5 & 6.
A bicyclist killed when a big rig's shipping container fell on him in Carson was identified by the coroner Wednesday as 51-year-old Robert Castorena of Long Beach.
No charges had been filed against the driver as of Wednesday afternoon, said Deputy Geoff Lidmen of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Carson Station.
Traffic investigators said it appeared to be a tragic accident.
The empty container somehow struck a railroad crossing bridge, fell off the flatbed of the truck and pinned Castorena underneath, deputies said.
Castorena died at the scene of the accident, which was reported at 5:05 p.m. on Santa Fe Avenue near Warnock Way, sheriff's officials said.
Castorena worked as a longshoreman for more than two decades.
Neighbors said he was active, rode his bicycle often, and described him as humble and "real nice."
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"He would make everybody laugh, he was just a fun guy to work with," said Steve Serafin, Castorena's co-worker.
Serafin says he received a text from Castorena just hours before his death, joking about needing only 40 more hours to reach his retirement goal.
Castorena survived by his wife and family, including a sister.
Detectives said they were investigating whether the container was secured properly and if the driver made an error.
The truck company out of Utah, Western Pride Inc., did not return calls for comment.
Beverly White contributed to this report.
