Big rig gets stuck on I-5 overpass after driver mishap
TUKWILA, Wash. - A semi truck became stuck on an Interstate 5 overpass Thursday morning near Southcenter Mall after the driver lost control of the big rig, the Washington State Patrol reports.
State troopers responded to the scene, on the Klickitat Drive overpass, at about 10:15 a.m. after receiving reports of a stranded semi truck.
A preliminary investigation found that the driver of the semi somehow lost control, hit a light post and then got stuck with the right rear wheels of the semi trailer hanging over the barrier at the edge of the overpass.
The driver later told KOMO Newsradio that he initially thought the trailer was going to fall down onto the freeway.
He said he took the turn too tightly and that the right rear tires drove up onto the jersey barrier as it slopes up gradually from ground level. He said he's just glad no one was hurt, then added he'll probably get fired over the mishap.
A large tow truck was called in to lift the trailer back onto the roadway.
No one was injured in the incident, but it did disrupt in the area for a time. State Transportation Department crews also responded to the scene.
State troopers responded to the scene, on the Klickitat Drive overpass, at about 10:15 a.m. after receiving reports of a stranded semi truck.
A preliminary investigation found that the driver of the semi somehow lost control, hit a light post and then got stuck with the right rear wheels of the semi trailer hanging over the barrier at the edge of the overpass.
The driver later told KOMO Newsradio that he initially thought the trailer was going to fall down onto the freeway.
He said he took the turn too tightly and that the right rear tires drove up onto the jersey barrier as it slopes up gradually from ground level. He said he's just glad no one was hurt, then added he'll probably get fired over the mishap.
A large tow truck was called in to lift the trailer back onto the roadway.
No one was injured in the incident, but it did disrupt in the area for a time. State Transportation Department crews also responded to the scene.
"...took the turn too tightly..." means he failed to slow down on a turn or curve, and the load inside the container shifted. Most of these container haulers are paid by the load. This driver was focused on getting to his destination ASAP to haul as many containers as he can. If these truckers were paid by the hour, they'd likely focus on safety because whether he hauls 10 containers or 6 in an 8-hour shift, he's making the same $$. Hourly pay takes the incentive out of quantity (of loads hauled) and creates an incentive for truckers to be more safety oriented.