The Oregon truck death of a driver who had stopped to put on chains is a timely, if tragic, reminder of the need to use extra caution in the coming months as winter settles in throughout the Northwest.
According to local media reports, truck driver Milton Melton of Colville, Washington was killed and a fellow driver injured last week when they were hit by another truck as they worked to ‘chain up’ on I-84 near Ontario, on the Oregon-Idaho border. The Idaho Press-Tribune quotes local law enforcement officials saying they believe a semi-trailer struck both men. Melton’s colleague was taken to hospital with what were described as “non-life threatening injuries”.
As anyone who has had to do it can tell you, chaining up along the roadside can be a nerve-wracking experience, even in daylight hours. The Ontario, Oregon fatal truck accident reportedly took place around 8am at a time when heavy snowfall had significantly reduced visibility. The Press-Tribune reports that the driver of the truck that caused the Oregon truck collision left the scene, but was later taken into custody at a nearby truck stop.
If you have been injured, or a loved one has died, in an Oregon truck accident prompt consultation with a Portland truck accident lawyer is essential. You may be entitled to compensation for you injuries, as well as lost wages, damage to your vehicle and for pain and suffering. Winter driving can be unusually stressful and dangerous, but that does not absolve truckers – or anyone else – of their responsibility to exercise extra care when conditions are perilous and visibility limited.
KMVT: I-90 accident claims two lives; truck driver loses life while chaining up
Idaho Press-Tribune: Nampa man hurt in crash that kills truck driver in Oregon