Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
March 14, 2011
Contact:
CVEO Corey Turner
Phone:
360-887-8231 - office / 360-624-0218 - cell
E-mail:
Corey.Turner@wsp.wa.gov
Truck Wrecks at Ridgefield Port of Entry
On March 13, 2011 at approximately 12:30 PM, Albert D. Rose, a 58 year old resident of Gordonville, Texas, was driving a 2003 Peterbuilt tractor pulling a trailer loaded with elevator equipment. The truck was registered to Sammons Transportation out of Missoula Montana.
Rose was northbound on I-5 near Ridgefield when he was randomly pulled into the Port of Entry Scales. According to Rose, as he approached a line of trucks waiting in line, he mistook the accelerator for the brake pedal and continued to travel at a high rate, veering right to avoid stopped truck traffic. The rest of what took place was witnessed by Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer Bob Schultheis. According to Officer Schultheis, the truck went through a concrete retaining barrier, just missing the south east corner of the scales inspection building, proceeding to go off road jumping a curb and grassy swale, then collided with a 50 foot modular building that housed the facilities tools and equipment. It spun the modular building 180 degrees, tearing a gaping hole in the end and spewing debris throughout the area. The truck continued another 150 feet and finally came to rest only after hitting and becoming high centered on additional concrete barriers.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene where they assessed the driver for possible injuries. Other than a few scrapes to Mr. Rose’s left arm he did not appear to be injured but only shaken by the crash.
A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) was summoned to the scene to evaluate Mr. Rose for possibly driving under the influence. It was later determined that the driver was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Mr. Rose was cited for negligent driving 2nd degree.