Greene Co. trucker witnessed mayhem following shooting

Mass shootings like the one in California that Bill Mahanes got within a few miles of Wednesday are putting the country, including truck drivers on edge.

“It’s scary because this stuff is popping up all over the country,” said Mahanes, a Bowersville resident who was hauling a load through San Bernardino when authorities said at least three gunman opened fire at the Inland Regional Center, a facility that provides services for the developmentally disabled, killing at least 14 and wounding several others.

“And to be honest, the truck drivers that are around here they are getting worried with what’s happening,” he said.

The 53-year-old Mahanes said he was headed down Interstate 215 when what authorities called a “massive mutual aid response” descended toward the Inland Regional Center, within a mile of Mahanes’ rig.

“Next thing I know I’m seeing state troopers, sheriff, local law enforcement, fire trucks, ambulances,” he said. “The next thing I know I’m looking up in the sky and there’s helicopters everywhere.”

Mahanes later stopped at a terminal about five miles from the shooting site. Late in the afternoon — as what he called a massive manhunt continued — he described the mood of those around him.

“Around here locally they’re staying away from the area,” he said. “And everybody here from our terminal they’re glued to the TV set, seeing what’s going on.”

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