Truck Rams Into California Capitol

Wednesday, January 17th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) â€” A tractor-trailer careened through downtown streets before ramming into the state Capitol, killing the driver and igniting a fiery explosion that forced the evacuation of lawmakers working on California's power crisis.

No other injuries were reported.

The California Highway Patrol had no immediate comment about a published report that the man believed to have been the driver had a grudge against Gov. Gray Davis. The patrol said earlier they were investigating whether a mechanical problem caused the crash.

The truck struck the building at about 9:15 p.m. Tuesday just as the Assembly adjourned an evening session. Stunned lawmakers were evacuated and watched as firefighters fought the blaze.

almost unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable,'' Assemblyman Carl Washington said.

The driver's body, which was burned beyond recognition, remained inside the truck early Wednesday. Officials did not immediately identify him.

The Sacramento Bee, citing unidentified sources, reported that the man was believed to be a 37-year-old parolee from Sacramento who had a long-standing grudge against the governor. The Bee said an official with the trucking company confirmed that the man was the driver assigned to that truck.

Witnesses said the single-trailer rig careened through downtown streets at high speed before it smashed into the south portico below the Senate's second-floor chambers. The vehicle stopped just short of the Capitol's doors.

``It was really scary,'' Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg said. ``It's scary to see the Capitol looking like that.''

Assembly staffer Matt Z'Berg said the driver ``came all the way down here blaring his horn'' before the truck struck the building with a ``humongous fireball effect.''

Authorities did not want to remove the truck, which was carrying cans of evaporated milk, until they determined whether there was structural damage to the building, said CHP Capt. Dennis Williams, head of Capitol security.

The explosions were caused by diesel gas tanks bursting into flames, fire Capt. Don Braziel said.

Michael Fahn, a motorist, said he didn't see the truck ram into the building but heard several blasts.

``I thought, `My God, they are bombing the Capitol!''' he said.

The state Assembly had been meeting to consider legislation on California's power crisis. The measure, which was approved, would allow the state to buy electricity from wholesalers and sell it to utilities at a reduced rate under long-term contracts.