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[UPDATE 5:00 p.m]: The drive r was identified as Brian J. Neeley, age 54, from Sheridan. Neeley was cited by OSP for Careless Driving and Fail to Drive Within Lane.
SCOTTSBURG, Ore. — Highway 38 at the Scottsburg Bridge near milepost 16 is still closed following a traffic crash involving a commercial truck pulling a flatbed trailer loaded with lumber products. The truck and trailer is hanging over the bridge railing above the river and an estimated hundred gallons of diesel has leaked into the river.
According to Lieutenant Steve Mitchell, preliminary information indicates on September 18, 2014, at approximately 8:20 a.m., a 1994 Peterbilt truck pulling a flatbed semi-trailer loaded with lumber products driven by a 54-year old male was eastbound on Highway 38 near milepost 16. For an unconfirmed reason, as the truck was negotiating a left curve it struck the guardrail and went onto the bridge railing. The lumber products spilled off the trailer as it went over the railing. The truck and trailer are partially hanging off the bridge over the Umpqua River.
The truck’s driver was taken by ambulance to Lower Umpqua Hospital with minor injuries.
Oregon State Police (OSP), Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, ODOT, Scottsburg Fire Department, US Coast Guard and local emergency responders are working together at the scene. Oregon Emergency Response System (OERS) was notified and a HazMat team has been contacted to respond and handle the diesel spill.
The highway is expected to be blocked for several hours. ODOT is dispatching a bridge inspector to the scene to check for damage.
