Logging truck crash blocks North Spokane Corridor
A log truck traveling south on the North Spokane Corridor plowed into a steel reader board just after 3 p.m. Monday, the Washington State Patrol said.
The crash occurred at 3:07 p.m., said WSP tooper Rob Nance. Almost 20 minutes before that the WSP received reports of an erratically driving log truck at the intersection of Highway 395 and Hatch Road.
“The driver was found in front of the log truck,” Nance said. “(We have) no idea what caused it.”
The man, who was in his 40s, was ejected from the driver’s window and found in front of the truck. He was airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. The man was semi-conscious and reacting to pain, said WSP trooper Tom Shirey.
Department of Transportation officials were checking the board for structural integrity.
“Whenever we have a structure hit we look at all of the connections,” said Robert Blegen, maintenance superintendent for the DOT.
Southbound between Freya Street and Farwell Road will be closed until a state inspector, coming from Waterville, Washington, arrives and inspects the sign. Blegen said the highway would likely be closed for the next several hours.
WSP officials are rerouting traffic.
This story is developing and more information will be added as it is available.