BRINNON — A tractor-trailer crashed on U.S. Highway 101 near Brinnon early Monday, closing the road in both directions for eight hours.
There were no injuries when the truck jackknifed partially off the road at Milepost 307 near Dosewallips State Park.
The crash created a small diesel spill and blocked traffic from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., according to the State Patrol.
The 2003 Freightliner semi-truck with a standard box trailer, driven by Donald Scroggie, 64, of Vancouver, Wash., was southbound on Highway 101 when the right wheels crossed onto the soft shoulder, said Trooper Russ Winger, State Patrol spokesman.
“The driver over-corrected, and the cab crossed the center line and hit trees on the northbound side. The trailer swung around and blocked the highway,” Winger said.
State Patrol had to bring in a crane and position it below the wreck to lift the badly damaged cab from the wooded slope where it came to rest to put the rig back on the road, Winger said.
Traffic was diverted around the wreck on a nearby gravel road while the truck was removed from the scene.
At about 2:30 p.m., the road reopened to alternating traffic and was reopened fully by 4 p.m.
Scroggie was examined by medical personnel on the scene for minor injuries and released.
Winger said charges against Scroggie are pending. A State Patrol report said he would be cited for “wheels off roadway.”
