1958 — June 16, Migrant Farm Worker Truck Fire (spilled gasoline) Soledad, CA — 14
— 14 Bakersfield Californian. “Make-Shift Bracero Bus Hit by Train; 28 Die.” 9-18-1963, p. 1.
— 14 Dunne, John Gregory. Delano: The story of the California grape strike. NY: 1967, p. 29.
— 14 Martinez, Juan D. “Bracero Memorial highway.” Bracero History Archive. No date.
Narrative Information
Martinez: “….June 17, 1958, the Holocaust in Soledad Ca….in an illegally converted vehicle being used to transport 50 Braceros,[1] a worker lit a cigarette igniting two gas cans placed beneath benches in the passenger’s compartment…14 Braceros died as they fought desperately to escape the flames and 17 other Braceros were hospitalized in very critical condition…
“The driver failed to remove the danger and neglected to inform any of the passengers of the hazard. The National Safety Council considered this fire the worst non-collision vehicle tragedy in the nation…”[2] (Martinez. “Bracero Memorial highway.” Bracero History Archive. No date.)
Newspapers
June 17: “Soledad, Monterey County, June 17 – (AP) – Twelve Mexican nationals burned to death today when a truck packed with farm workers caught fire. Treno Korno, a ranch owner and the first person at the scene, said the terrified men were pressing so tightly against the tailgate that he couldn’t unsnap the chain latch. He tried several times before the heat drove him away.
“A fireman said he found in the wreckage two cans that appeared to have contained gasoline.
“The tragedy occurred in south Soledad, a few blocks from the labor camp where the Mexicans lived.
“Eight others were hospitalized.
“About 25 Mexican field workers were in the truck on their way to work in this farming community 122 miles south of San Francisco. The truck was boarded up on the sides and covered with a tin top. Five bodies were piled up against a chain across the back of the truck. Those who escaped climbed over the bodies of the others.
“Ben Jacobsen, publisher of the Soledad Bee, said the truck was owned by Joe Astacio, a labor contractor, and was driven by Mike Loya, an employee.
“Coroner’s deputies had no immediate explanation as to how the fire started. It appeared to have originated in the back of the vehicle.
“The only entrance to the truck was from the rear. Jacobsen said the first person at the scene was unable to unsnap the chain which held up the tailgate.” (Oakland Tribune, CA. “12 Penned in Truck, Die in Fire.” 6-17-1958, p. 1.)
June 18: “Soledad, Calif., June 18 (UPI) – Three Mexicans remained in critical condition at the Salinas Valley Memorial hospital Wednesday as Fresno attorney Edmond Chevalier pushed investigation of the bus fire that killed 12 farm laborers Tuesday. Chevalier was appointed by the Mexican consulate in Fresno to determine any responsibility for the fire.
“The Mexicans had been enroute to work on a bus owned by Bob Saunders, Soledad farmer. The fire apparently broke out when a cigarette or match ignited gasoline that flowed from an overturned can. In addition to those killed, 19 were injured.
“Monterey county district attorney E. K. Barnes was also investigating the accident. ‘Full treatment’ will be given the probe, he said, but would not comment on whether charges would be filed.” (Daily Oklahoman, Oklahoma City. “Bus Fire Cause Probe is Pushed.” 6-19-1958, p.13.)
1963 Bakersfield Californian: “….Russell McComb, California Highway Patrol information officer, said the toll of 27 dead in the Salinas crossing wreck [9-17-1963] is the biggest single vehicle accident toll since 14 braceros lost their lives at nearby Soledad June 16, 1958. The 14 died in a truck that crashed and burned.” (Bakersfield Californian. “Make-Shift Bracero Bus Hit by Train; 28 Die.” 9-18-1963, p. 1.)
Sources
Bakersfield Californian. “Make-Shift Bracero Bus Hit by Train; 28 Die.” 9-18-1963, p. 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=155018289&sterm=chualar+train+bus
Daily Oklahoman, Oklahoma City. “Bus Fire Cause Probe is Pushed.” 6-19-1958, p. 13. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=202474558&sterm
Dunne, John Gregory. Delano: The story of the California grape strike. NY: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1967. Accessed 12-15-2013 at: http://farmworkermovement.org/essays/essays/DELANO_GREGORY_DUNNE.pdf
Martinez, Juan D. “Bracero Memorial highway.” Bracero History Archive. No date. Accessed 12-15-2013 at: http://braceroarchive.org/items/show/3220
Oakland Tribune, CA. “12 Penned in Truck, Die in Fire.” 6-17-1958, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=33907501&sterm
[1] Manual laborer.
[2] In its 1970 report Accident Facts 1970 Edition, “Greatest Number of Deaths in a Single Motor-Vehicle Accident.” (Chicago, IL: National Safety Council, 1970. p. 63), the deadliest non-collision bus event was listed as the March 20, 1944 Passaic, NJ event with 20 fatalities, and the deadliest non-collision truck event was the June 5, 1943 event near Nashville, TN with 19 fatalities.