Death reported on I-5 over Grapevine. Madera big rig driver found in his truck, CHP says

A man was found dead inside a big rig truck parked along the Grapevine near Lebec on Interstate 5.

On Friday, the Kern County Coroner’s Office identified the man as Michael Jean Forgues, 51, of Madera. An autopsy is planned to determine the cause of death.

Forgues was discovered around 8:30 a.m. Thursday by a tow truck driver working to clear the highway in advance of the roads being plowed, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Forgues was found under blankets in the sleeper berth of the truck and may have been stopped when the weather came in, the CHP said. The coroner responded to the scene and pronounced the man dead.

CHP said it appears he may have died in his sleep.

This story was originally published December 26, 2019 at 11:48 AM.