Wet Conditions Contributed to Crashes on Interstate 5 in Sunny Valley Area
Wet driving conditions contributed to two motor vehicle accidents on Interstate 5 in the Sunny Valley area early yesterday.
On Monday at 7:05 a.m., Rural Metro Fire Department and American Medical Response were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash in the northbound lanes of I-5 near Exit 71.
Rural Metro officials said the driver of a semi-truck tractor without a trailer lost control after the driver did not slow down for the rain-covered road surface. Two occupants were transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center with minor injuries. A lack of seatbelt use also may have contributed to the injuries.
On Monday at 9:18 a.m., Rural Metro and AMR responded to a rollover crash in the southbound lanes of I-5 near milepost 73.
With help from 3 Boys Towing, the driver was extricated from the collapsed cab of a pickup that landed on its roof. Using a combination of lifting the truck and enlarging the interior space of the cab using specialized tools, the driver was freed in about 25 minutes. Both the driver and a juvenile passenger who were wearing seatbelts were transported by AMR to the hospital with minor injuries.
OSP was investigating the cause of both crashes. First responders remind motorists to use caution when driving after a first rain following a dry spell. Accumulation of oils on pavement in addition to pooling of water can promote a loss of traction.
Posted on 10/22/24 6:26AM by Sam Marsh
