UPDATE: MINOR INJURY TRUCK CRASH, EMPTY WINE BOTTLES SPILL ONTO HIGHWAY 99W NEAR HIGHWAY 18 (PHOTO)
Posted: July 27th, 2010 8:30 PM
Photo/sound file: http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2010-07/1002/37073/hwy99w.hwy18.wine.2.jpg
Oregon State Police troopers and ODOT have cleared the scene of a Tuesday afternoon crash on Highway 99W at the Highway 18 intersection that led to an estimated over a thousand empty wine bottles spilling onto the highway. Two drivers were transported with non-life threatening injuries and Highway 99W was re-opened after the scene and vehicles were cleared about 7:15 p.m.
Updated information indicates on July 27, 2010 at approximately 1:40 p.m. a 2000 Freightliner truck pulling a trailer transporting empty bottles of wine driven by RUSSELL ALLEN RITTENHOUSE, age 54, from northeast Salem, was northbound on Highway 18 attempting to negotiate a turn to northbound Highway 99W. Entering the corner too fast, the trailer tipped over and struck a southbound 2005 Peterbuilt truck pulling a flatbed trailer and overturned. The Peterbuilt truck was preparing to turn onto Highway 18 from Highway 99W when it was struck. The rear of the trailer split open on impact spilling boxes containing empty wine bottles.
Both drivers were transported to an area hospital for treatment with minor injuries. The drivers were identified as RITTENHOUSE and DONALD R. SCHLEIMER, age 52, from Irwin, Iowa.
OSP cited RITTENHOUSE for Careless Driving. His vehicles are registered to NW Distribution out of Salem.
ODOT reportedly removed several dump truck loads of broken and damaged wine bottles.
OSP and ODOT were also assisted by McMinnville Fire Department and other local emergency responders.
Photograph Source: Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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