Icy Hwy. 97 semi crash spills load of apples

A semi truck driver received minor injuries Sunday morning after losing control of his truck on icy Highway 97 and rolled off the road near Shaniko, causing the trailer to split open and spill its load of apples, Oregon State Police said.

Around 6 a.m., the truck was heading south near milepost 62 when the driver lost control traveling downhill entering a curve, troopers said.

The truck and trailer traveled across the northbound lane and went off the west side of Highway 97, rolling onto its top and causing the trailer to split open and spill apples across the embankment.

Both fuel tanks punctured, leaking about 140 gallons of diesel on the ground, troopers said.

The truck’s driver, who was wearing his seat belt, was able to get out of the truck on his own with minor injuries. He was taken by ambulance to St. Charles Madras. Troopers said his name was not available.

OSP was assisted at the scene by South Sherman Fire & Rescue and ODOT.

Areas north of Redmond were under a freezing rain advisory for much of Sunday as temperatures slowly warmed from the south. Residents reported several rollovers and crashes along Highway 97