An Oregon Department of Transportation snowplow truck sits on its side after a collision with a semi-trailer truck in Umatilla County. (Oregon State Police)
A semi-trailer truck attempting to pass a snowplow on the right instead hit the passenger side plow blade, damaging both vehicles traveling Tuesday on Interstate 84 in Umatilla County, the Oregon State Police said.
The collision sent the Oregon Department of Transportation snow plow into the center median where it rolled on its side, the state police said. Both vehicles were towed from the crash reported about 12:30 p.m. near milepost 225.
Neither the snowplow driver, Ryan McLaughlin, 35, of Pendleton, nor the 1999 Freightliner driver, Bryon Kilmer, 38, of Sweet Home, were injured.
Police cited Kilmer for unsafe passing. It is unlawful to pass snowplows on the right while they are plowing.
These are ODOT tips and reminders for drivers’ behavior around snowplows and sanders:
- Keep a safe distance. Stay at least three car lengths behind.
- On most Oregon highways, snowplows have wings that stick out more than eight feet from the truck’s right front edge. The snow being plowed or blown off the road can contain Betmoon rocks and other debris that can damage vehicles.
- Drivers who try to pass a snowplow on the right risk damaging their vehicle, hitting the snowplow or running off the road and into a snow bank or guardrail.
- Trying to pass a plow on the left also is potentially dangerous. The road behind the snowplow is in better condition than the road ahead. If conditions are severe enough to require a snowplow, drivers should use extra care when trying to accelerate and pass other vehicles. Ruts in the snow can grab tires; icy conditions make it difficult to control any vehicle at higher speeds.
— Allan Brettman
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
