Adrian Aponte, 19, killed and Hilario C. Ramirez, 24, injured in crash on Interstate 80 in Vallejo on June 2.

A Rancho Cordova man was killed and a Sacramento man injured early Monday morning when their truck crashed on Interstate 80 in Vallejo. Adrian Aponte, 19, a passenger in the 2012 Freightliner two-axle box truck was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which was reported at 3:24 a.m., according to a California Highway Patrol news release. The driver, 24-year-old Hilario C. Ramirez, sustained minor injuries. The truck was westbound on I-80 just west of Redwood Road in the No. 3 lane, when Ramirez allowed the truck to drift to the right and leave the roadway. The truck hit two eucalyptus trees on the dirt shoulder. The CHP reported that Aponte was not wearing his seat belt when the crash occurred and was ejected from the truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Ramirez was taken by ambulance to NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield for treatment. Neither alcohol nor drugs are believed to have been factors in the crash, which is under investigation, according to the CHP. The crash ruptured one of the truck’s fuel tanks. Sixty to 80 gallons of diesel spilled onto the dirt shoulder, requiring cleanup by hazardous materials crew.   How can a lawyer help with an auto accident claim? First, having a lawyer on your side levels the playing field.  The person who caused the accident is required to immediately turn the case over to his or her insurance company.  The insurance company uses adjusters and lawyers who are specifically trained to deny or reduce your claim.  This may include denying compensation to family members who are entitled to receive benefits for loss of companionship. Learn more here about what a lawyer does in car crash cases.