A passenger in a pickup truck died in a crash involving a large forklift near the Santa Maria Airport on Thursday afternoon, according to the Santa Maria Police Department.

Shortly after 3 p.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to the collision on the 3000 block of Skyway Drive, at the intersection with Hangar Street.

A blue Dodge pickup traveling on Skyway Drive struck the forks of the forklift, causing serious damage to the cab of the small truck and killing an occupant, Sgt. Matthew Kline said.

The pickup driver suffered moderate injuries, according to Sgt. Jason Zickuhr, and was taken to Marian Regional Medical Center.

The deceased passenger’s name was not released pending notification of relatives.

The name of the driver and details on their condition were not available.

More than two hours later, a segment of Skyway Drive remained closed while law enforcement officers and crime scene technicians investigated the incident.

The forklift sat near the stop sign on Hangar Street, which leads into an area of the Santa Maria Public Airport with hangars to house airplanes.

The truck ended up off the west side of Skyway Drive several yards away from the intersection.

Little information was available since law enforcement officers were investigating the crash.

David Baskett, 81, an elected official, confirmed his involvement in the fatal incident, explaining in an email that it occurred “when a pickup hit the forklift I was returning to the rental company.”

His comments came in an email that included Noozhawk and several other people connected to the airport.

Baskett serves on the Santa Maria Public Airport District and the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District boards.

Reached by phone Thursday evening, Baskett said he had been driving the forklift that had been rented locally to move some items from one hangar to another.

He had kept a non-airworthy plane and other equipment at the airport for more than two decades, but had been evicted from the hangar he had leased.

He claimed the forklift was stopped at the intersection when the truck, traveling at a high speed, struck the forks.

“As far as I know, everything was in compliance with the rules and regulations,” Baskett said.

Saying he was “very very dispirited, bummed,” he added, “I wish it hadn’t happened.”