Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
February 14, 2011
Contact:
Julie Startup
Phone:
(425) 766-0812
E-mail:
Julie.Startup@wsp.wa.gov
Driver Ejected from Semi Rollover Collision Receives Minor Injuries
A semi truck driver received minor injuries when his vehicle struck a guardrail and tree before it rolled onto its side, ejecting him through the windshield.
Just before 5am on Monday, February 14, a semi truck drove off the road on Eastbound State Route 18 in the area of Tiger Summit. The semi drove into the right guardrail and struck a tree with its trailer causing the vehicle to roll onto its right side. The driver, a 51 year old Puyallup man, was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected out the windshield as the truck came to a stop. Miraculously, the driver was walking around when troopers arrived and only received minor injuries.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation at this time. The driver stated he swerved to avoid a deer causing him to drive off the road.
Department of Transportation workers cut the railing free from the front of the truck and tow drivers were able to begin the removal. The trailer ripped open during the collision and the right lane was blocked for nearly six hours as the semi and its contents were removed.
Although this driver was very fortunate and only received minor injuries not everyone is so lucky. If he had been thrown out of the windshield earlier in the collision it is unlikely he would have survived. The Washington State Patrol asks that every driver and passenger wear seatbelts properly rather than gamble with their lives.
