Silverton truck driver killed in Highway 58 crash

A truck driver was killed early Friday when his rig left state Highway 58 and crashed about 25 miles east of Oakridge, Oregon State Police said. His dog survived.

The man was identified later Friday as Dennis Joseph Huber, 56, of Silverton.

Around 3:25 a.m., Huber’s Freightliner truck pulling a trailer loaded with tree products was traveling westbound on Highway 58 near milepost 61, troopers said.

The truck was reportedly negotiating a downhill curve in the single westbound lane when the driver lost control, crossing the center line and overturning on the left side.

The truck and trailer slid across both eastbound lanes, colliding into the guardrail and embankment before coming to a stop.

The driver was pronounced dead when first responders arrived, troopers said, adding that he was wearing his seat belt.

A dog riding in the truck survived. An OSP trooper transported the dog back to the office to arrange its return to the victim’s family.

OSP troopers from the Springfield and Oakridge offices are continuing the investigation. Recruit Trooper Bryan Kolacz is the lead investigator.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Oakridge Police Department, Oakridge Fire & EMS, and ODOT. ODOT personnel were on scene for hours, coordinating cleanup of debris and vehicle removal; one lane was blocked until midday, when it reopened.