Trucker unhurt in crash on icy Hwy. 58
A truck driver escaped injury Thursday morning after losing control of the rig, which rolled onto its side along an icy stretch of Hwy. 58 about five miles northwest of the Hwy. 97 junction, Oregon State Police said.
While at the scene, an OSP trooper’s car was nearly struck by another semi-truck that jackknifed as it lost control approaching this crash scene.
According to Senior Trooper Don Newcomb, around 7:40 a.m., the truck and semi-trailer were heading west near milepost 80 at about 50 mph when the truck’s driver lost control on ice.
The truck and trailer began to jackknife and spun 180 degrees across the center line before rolling onto their right side off the eastbound shoulder.
While talking to the driver, another westbound commercial truck approaching the scene lost control and started to jackknife.
The sliding truck and trailer narrowly missed the trooper’s patrol car, and after it passed that truck’s driver was able to straighten out the vehicles and continued westbound without stopping.
The highway was not blocked, said troopers, who did not disclose the drivers’ names.
Oregon State Police and ODOT urged travelers to be alert for icy road conditions and to “Know Before You Go” by checking road and weather conditions at TripCheck.com.
