Bonanza truck driver killed in Hwy. 58 semi crash

A 57-year-old truck driver from Bonanza was killed on Highway 58 east of Oakridge Thursday morning when his rig crossed an oncoming lane on a curve, struck a guardrail and left the road, hitting several trees, Oregon State Police reported.

After family was notified, troopers identified the man as Russel Alan Young.

Around 8:30 a.m., Young’s commercial truck pulling a trailer was westbound on Highway 58 near milepost 38 when it failed to safely negotiate through a right-hand curve, troopers said.

The rig crossed the eastbound lane, struck a guardrail and continued off the south side of the highway, striking several trees before coming to rest next to Salt Creek, they said.

Young was pronounced dead on the scene when medics arrived, OSP reported. He was not believed to be wearing a seat belt, they added.

Particle board spilled off the trailer, troopers said, but no material or hazardous materials spilled into the waterway.

OSP troopers from the Oakridge and Springfield offices responded to investigate. Oakridge Fire Department, NW HazMat and ODOT assisted at the scene.

The highway was closed for about an hour, and one lane was open with flaggers until mid-afternoon.