Orondo, Washington – Semi Truck Crash at Highway 97

Orondo, Washington (January 23, 2020) – A semi truck crashed on Highway 97 north of Orondo on early Thursday morning,. According to the report from 560KPQ News Radio, the driver was initially trapped in the vehicle, but he was later extricated by responding  crews and treated on scene. No other vehicles appear to be involved and no other injuries were reported.

According to information from the Washington State Patrol, the truck carrying was hauling an empty fuel trailer while heading south on Highway 97. Around 3:49 a.m. the driver lost control of his vehicle, losing the trailer in the process. The trailer left the southbound lanes and became lodged in a  tree, while the truck itself went through the guard rail on the northbound side, falling 10 feet down an embankment and overturning. According to Washington Stae Patrol Trooper John Bryant the crash did not impact traffic and that the incident is under investigation.

About Truck Accidents

The state of Washington’s  2015 Annual Collision Data Summary reported that 6,091 commercial vehicle or heavy trucks were involved in collisions in 2015. These crashes included 38 fatal collisions, 85 serious injury collisions, 1,352 minor injury collisions, 4,565 property damage collisions, and 51 unknown injury collisions. Truck accidents can have many causes, and due to the size and road performance of these vehicles, the involvement of one in an accident can lead to heavy losses. Unlike other vehicles, truck accidents can involve many people other than the driver, such as the owner of the truck, the manufacturer of parts, the company which handles it, and so on and so forth. Truck accidents also have a varied list of causes. Weather and road conditions can play a part in it. There are also of course driver errors, as well as lack of training in operating the truck. Additionally, due to the type of job, both drivers and vehicles can experience fatigue.

Whether operating a truck or seeing one on the road, all drivers must follow regulations to avoid incurring damages and injuries to themselves and people around them. We ask truck drivers to be particularly cautious while driving at night, and to be aware of possible road hazards such as tight turns, rough roads, and fixed objects. While it is  important for all drivers to keep vehicles in good condition, it holds especially true for trucks which carry heavy cargo and make prolonged trips. Doing these steps can ensure the driver’s safety as well as the safety of other people on the road.If you have been the victim of a truck accident, we extend our sympathy and compassion.

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