UPDATE: NAME RELEASED - FATAL COMMERCIAL TRUCK CRASH - INTERSTATE 84 IN HOOD RIVER (PHOTO)
News Release from Oregon State Police
Posted on FlashAlert: May 9th, 2014 4:39 PM
Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the cause of Friday morning's fatal commercial truck crash that occurred along Interstate 84 in Hood River. The victim's name and residence information are released after confirmation of next of kin notifications made out of state.
On May 9, 2014 at approximately 5:12 a.m., a 2004 Freightliner truck pulling an empty container trailer driven by MELVIN ROY SCHWARK, age 64, from Lyle, Washington, was traveling westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 63. For an unconfirmed reason, the truck and trailer gradually drifted to the left and struck the guardrail on the south side of the traffic lanes. The truck and trailer continued westbound into the center median before coming to an uncontrolled rest after colliding with a tree. A tree section came to rest partially blocking the left eastbound lane.
Upon arrival of emergency responders, SCHWARK was pronounced deceased at the scene. SCHWARK was using safety restraints and investigators are looking into the possibility that he suffered a medical emergency while driving that may have been a factor in the crash occurring. He was driving for J&L Transportation out of Wasco, Oregon.
OSP troopers from The Dalles Area Command office are investigating. Recruit Trooper Jason Schaffner is the lead investigator.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Hood River Police Department, Hood River Fire Department, and ODOT. One lane was blocked in both directions and the highway was cleared about 7 hours after the crash.
Photograph - Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
On May 9, 2014 at approximately 5:12 a.m., a 2004 Freightliner truck pulling an empty container trailer driven by MELVIN ROY SCHWARK, age 64, from Lyle, Washington, was traveling westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 63. For an unconfirmed reason, the truck and trailer gradually drifted to the left and struck the guardrail on the south side of the traffic lanes. The truck and trailer continued westbound into the center median before coming to an uncontrolled rest after colliding with a tree. A tree section came to rest partially blocking the left eastbound lane.
Upon arrival of emergency responders, SCHWARK was pronounced deceased at the scene. SCHWARK was using safety restraints and investigators are looking into the possibility that he suffered a medical emergency while driving that may have been a factor in the crash occurring. He was driving for J&L Transportation out of Wasco, Oregon.
OSP troopers from The Dalles Area Command office are investigating. Recruit Trooper Jason Schaffner is the lead investigator.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Hood River Police Department, Hood River Fire Department, and ODOT. One lane was blocked in both directions and the highway was cleared about 7 hours after the crash.
Photograph - Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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