Hwy. 126 reopens after semi rollover
Two truck rollover crashes within minutes of each other caused no injuries but caused traffic problems on Highway 97 north of La Pine and Highway 126 east of Redmond Friday, authorities said.
The first crash involved a dump truck and occurred near milepost 157 of Highway 97. ODOT spokesman Peter Murphy said only the northbound shoulder was affected for a time. That truck was hauling mulch and had a small diesel spill, officials on scene said.
The other crash occurred on Hwy. 126E at SE Ochoco Way east of Redmond around 12:17 p.m., said police Lt. Keith Knight.
A Central Oregon Truck Co. semi driven by Sean Monaham, 24, left the highway and rolled onto the shoulder, spilling its load of lumber onto the road and shoulder, also downing a power pole and lines, Knight said.
The driver was unhurt, but both lanes of Highway 126 were blocked while ODOT and police waited for Pacific Power crews to arrive and de-energize the lines so they could be safely removed.
Dispatchers urged motorists to avoid the area and seek alternate routes until the crash is cleared. Before 2:30 p.m., they said a “lengthy out-of-direction detour” had been established.
By 3 p.m., traffic was being allowed through in alternating directions, controlled by flaggers, but ODOT warned to expect continued congestion until work at the scene was finished. The road fully reopened by the evening commute.
Knight said Redmond police wanted to thank ODOT and Oregon State Police for their assistance. Anyone with information is asked to contact Redmond police at (541) 504-3400 or dispatchers at (541) 693-6911.
