Portland trucker dies in fiery crash on Interstate 84

(Update: Trucker identified as Portland man)

Oregon State Police have identified a semi-truck driver from Portland who was killed early Wednesday morning when his rig left Interstate 84 near The Dalles, crashed into a rock embankment and caught fire.

Troopers and emergency personnel responded shortly before 2 a.m. to the single-vehicle crash on the freeway near milepost 74 in Wasco County, OSP Captain Tim Fox said.

A preliminary investigation indicated the commercial rig was eastbound in the slow lane when the driver, Leo Stratton, 50, of Portland, drifted off the road, struck a rock embankment and it caught fire.

I-84’s eastbound slow lane was closed while OSP investigated and the wreckage was removed.

OSP was assisted by the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Mosier Fire Department Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, and ODOT.