A truck driver died after crashing into the Emigrant Ranger Station in Death Valley National Park, likely due to a brake malfunction. The crash severely damaged the historic building and blocked Highway 190 for 22 hours while cleanup took place. Diesel fuel and sodium sulfate spilled, necessitating a hazmat response. Steep descents in the park frequently lead to overheating brakes, which has been linked to several previous incidents. The ranger station, created in the 1930s, is renowned for its historical significance, including being associated with the song 'Ghost Riders in the Sky.'
"Most vehicle fires here happen because brakes overheat going down steep grades," Abby Wines, a spokesperson for Death Valley National Park, told SFGATE in August 2024.
The crash destroyed the building's two stone columns, broke some of its windows and damaged its roof. The driver was killed in the crash, which was likely caused by a brake malfunction, according to the park service.
The wreckage blocked the highway, closing Highway 190 for 22 hours between Stovepipe Wells and Towne Pass as park staff and a hazmat team worked to mitigate damage.
Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the Emigrant Ranger Station is where Stan Jones wrote the song 'Ghost Riders in the Sky' while working as a park ranger.
#death-valley-national-park #emigrant-ranger-station #truck-accident #brake-malfunction #historical-site-maintenance
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