Truck Accident News

Washington State Semi Truck Roll Over Collision Blocks I-5

On March 18, 2006, at approximately 4:47 AM, Trooper Brian Ashley responded to a Semi Truck and Trailer roll over collision blocking southbound I-5 just north of the Vader/Toledo exit (Milepost 60).

Ashley arrived to the scene observing the Semi truck hanging over the center concrete wall blocking the northbound I-5 left lane with concrete debris from the wall blocking the right lane. The Semi’s trailer was laying on its right-side blocking both southbound lanes. Ashley observed a Dodge Durango pinned under the semi trailer.

The investigation revealed that the 2001 Freightliner semi pulling a trailer driven by Gurmit Singh, a 33 year resident of Kent, was traveling southbound I-5 in the right lane. Singh apparently fell asleep drifting to the right going off the road into a grassy area. Singh over corrected back to the left causing the Freightliner to lose control crossing both southbound lanes before it collided and climbed the center concrete wall. The Freightliner came to rest hanging over the top of the concrete wall blocking the left northbound I-5 lane. The impact with the concrete wall caused concrete debris to block the right northbound lane as well. The semi trailer loaded with furniture rolled onto its right-side blocking both southbound lanes along with the right shoulder.

Seconds later a 2002 Dodge Durango driven by Derek R. Harris, a 34 year old resident of Olympia, saw a cloud of dust caused by the Freightliner’s collision. Harris hit his brakes hard sliding into the semi trailer pinning his Dodge under the trailer.

Singh and Harris were not injured in the collision. I-5 in both directions was block for approximately 1 ½ hours before the northbound traffic was able to get through the scene by using the right shoulder. The southbound traffic was detoured off the Winlock exit (Milepost 63) coming back on at the Vader/Toledo on ramp (Milepost 60).

At approximately 5:50 AM, the Washington State Department of Transportation arrived assisting with traffic control and clearing the roadway debris. At approximately 6:45 AM, the Freightliner and trailer were dragged to the right still blocking the right lane and shoulder opening the left lane for southbound traffic.

There are 4 to 5 sections of the center concrete wall needing to be replaced, so the left lane on northbound I-5 will remain closed until approximately 12:00 PM. At 9:00 AM, the traffic back up north and southbound on I-5 was approximately 2 to 3 miles. Singh was issued a citation for Negligent Driving in the 2nd Degree.

Contact our lawyer now If you have experienced personal injuries or substantial income loss as a result of a truck accident in Colorado. Our lawyers are here to give you a free case review and to fight for you in court.

	Did You Know?
	Trucking Carriers And Drivers Are Required To Comply With The New Hours-Of-Service Rules. Carriers and drivers were required to operate under the former rules through January 3, 2004. That allowed adequate time for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), regulated industry, and the enforcement community to be trained and make any systems changes required by the new rules. Compliance with the new rules was required starting January 4, 2004.