Shasta Co., CA (April 10, 2026) – A Shasta County Sheriff’s deputy remains in serious condition after a crash involving a propane tanker truck in Northern California. Emergency units responded to the scene following reports of a collision and fuel spill along Clear Creek Road.
The crash occurred on Wednesday, April 8, while Deputy Dustin “Dusty” Funderberg was on duty. According to available information, his patrol vehicle collided head-on with a propane tanker truck, resulting in a hazardous spill involving propane and diesel fuel in the area.
The deputy sustained severe injuries, including a fractured C7 vertebra and a significant head laceration, along with other injuries. He remained hospitalized as of Friday, April 10.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
We are thinking of those injured as they receive medical care.
How Crashes Involving Hazardous Material Vehicles Are Typically Reviewed
When a crash involves a tanker or hazardous materials vehicle, investigators often focus on the vehicle’s movement and roadway conditions at the time of impact. This helps establish how the collision occurred and whether lane positioning played a role.
Special attention is also given to the type of materials being transported. In incidents involving fuel or gas, containment and spill response procedures are typically documented as part of the overall assessment.
Injury severity is often influenced by the size and weight of commercial vehicles involved. These factors, along with impact force and vehicle structure, are commonly reviewed to better understand how the crash unfolded.
