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.
OH MY GOD PRAISE GOD FOR VICTORY THAT NOBODY DIED
"he'll probably get fired over the mishap" -- ya think?
Took a turn to tight... up and over a jersey barrier... I can understand how that could happen.. Glad it didn't go over..It does seem to me that either he dragged it down the jersey barrier, because the position of the truck, in the middle of the overpass, doesn't make sense... but then, I am not entirely familiar with that area..
Yup, semi drivers in that area routinely drive too fast, kick up rocks when their trailers hit the shoulder, tailgate, and generally drive like idiots.  I speak from experience after getting my car and windshield pelted by rocks thrown up by a semi right in that area.
Don't tailgate trucks, problem solved. @HonkeyCat
Not paying attention and going too fast.
It happened practically in front of us. We took the right onto the overpass headed westbound, and there was a rig hanging off the guard rail right in front of us, the driver was just getting out, and the car in front of him had pulled over and was on the phone. Everyone appeared ok, so we continued on - we were glad we got around the mess before the real zoo began.
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Just a bit more momentum and that thing would have flopped over onto I-5, it was  high centered on the rear axle..
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Cripes!
Edit - It was the the over pass traversing the exit to 405/Southcenter, so not over I-5 proper.
Looked at it on google maps. Looks like he turned too tight from southcenter pkwy and just rode the tires right up over the barrier. Hate to be a pedestrian there when trucks come through.
Non union driver distracted by wife and kids living in semi loses control. The tow bill has bankrupted the driver so the next family may step to the front of the line for their turn at the US trucking industry. Good Luck and dont mind the bald tires and lack of brakes, you'll be out of business before you can afford to change em anyway. Deregulation has had the same impact on US airlines as well.Â
 @T_BONE_WALKER Union/nonunion has nothing to do with this. I'm a non union driver and would absolutely hate to have to work with union a$$hats that think they rule the world.
Very true about the deregulation of the trucking industry that happened back in the 70's. For a lot of people they think $60,000 sounds like pretty good money for driving truck. Until you start factoring in all the added costs of living on the road and the insanely long hours. If you actually want to make money at trucking you have to be very frugal and have to work at least 18 hours a day. Which means, the only way to make a living wage in trucking is to break the law. @T_BONE_WALKER
 @Blindman  @T_BONE_WALKER Deregulation happened in 1980, the industry was re-regulated in 1990 ... the industry has never been safer for it's drivers and the public as it is today ... get over it.Â
Isn't safer for the drivers when the laws and the companies force you to brake the law to try and make a living wage. @Eugene357  @Blindman  @T_BONE_WALKER
 @Blindman Wrong.
@Blindman @T_BONE_WALKER - It's a day cab so is probably a company driver and not a contractor/owner operator. The company will eat this which is why he WILL lose his job. If he isn't a per piece driver he makes a very low mileage rate or hourly rate and if he had to work 18 hours he's running a log and subject to DOT.
This is a very common type of accident with truck drivers. Just results in the driver not paying attention or taking the corner too fast. Can hauling is a tough industry for truck drivers. No money to be made which is why you usually see very old trucks hauling cans. The company has insurance that covers these kind of minor accidents. Truck drivers are still in pretty high demand and most companies will let you make a couple of mistakes before they fire you. @swansong68Â Â @Blindman
 @Blindman  @T_BONE_WALKER Yeah, the trucking industry isn't regulated.  *huge eye roll*Obviously all the rules and regulations I must adhere to are all in my mind.
The regulations are on the drivers, not the companies that exploit them. Thats what really changed in the 70's. They started going after drivers rather than the real culprits. Which has just made it more difficult for the drivers to make a living. @Wa2Wi  @Blindman  @T_BONE_WALKER
 @T_BONE_WALKER Perhaps the driver was smoking the same stuff you are.
@Tim Lane @T_BONE_WALKER .....Actually, he's pretty much on the mark. If you have something to contibute, write it, by all means. Just sitting around making snide offhand remarks about something you know nothing about does no one any good, now does it? Â
hey its only 9:55 thursday morning yet this happened at 10:15 WOW!Â
 @spanther22 I would like to subscribe to the sports and business section of that news service.
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Good catch!
@Sid Vishess @spanther22 I bet the editor at KOMONEWS.COM's resume reads:
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Major Accomplishments:
Developed and successfully tested time machine for accurately publishing stories before they happen. This helped KOMO News gain a leading edge on the broadcast news industry.
 @northwestsurfer  @Sid  @spanther22Of course, that would lead to...
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Although they had had a  description of the bank-robber before he/she actually committed the crime, KOMO refused to publish one, only saying it was a person of indeterminate height and ethnicity and gender  that would rob the Bank of America at 4:45 PM tomorrow.
 "...preliminary investigation found that the driver of the semi somehow lost control..."
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In a 30mph zone? Yeah, I wonder how that happened.
 @Sid Vishess You don't mean to imply he might have been... *gasp*...speeding?!  You've gone too far this time, Sid.;)
 @Gimmer I post on the edge... let the chips fall where they may.
 @Gimmer  @Sid Vishess Me thinks maybe eating a doughnut, drinking coffee and speeding! Oh, that's how the cops roll....
 @Funky-Munky  @Gimmer  @Sid Vishess I think they switched to muffins and cream cheese bagels.