Semi plunges into icy Upper Klamath Lake

A commercial truck driver and his dog escaped serious injury early Tuesday morning after his truck and trailer went off Highway 140W about six miles west of Klamath Falls and plunged into ice-covered Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon State Police reported.

While OSP investigated the cause of the crash, ODOT was coordinating removal of the rig from the lake.

Around 6:40 a.m., a commercial truck pulling an empty semi-trailer driven by Carl Hansen, 71, of Medford, was eastbound on Highway 140W near milepost 58.

For what troopers called “an unconfirmed reason,” the truck traveled across the westbound lane, off the shoulder and into the ice-covered lake.

The truck and trailer broke through ice, coming to rest partially submerged in the water.

Hansen escaped through the passenger-side window and crawled across the ice to the embankment. After emergency responders arrived, he was taken by ambulance to Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

He was driving for Hansen and Sons Trucking out of Medford.

His dog was spotted running on the ice at a distance from the crash scene. The dog was rescued and brought back to the highway by Klamath County Fire District No. 1 personnel.

OSP troopers from the Klamath Falls Area Command office responded to the scene. Recruit Trooper Thomas Andreazzi is the lead investigator.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Klamath County Fire District No. 1, Klamath County Dive Rescue and ODOT.