February 25, 2013
Lieutenant Gregg Hastings
Public Information Officer
(503) 731-3020 ext 247
According to Trooper Jerrad Little, on February 25, 2013 at approximately 6:00 a.m., a commercial truck pulling to cargo tankers containing about 10,000 gallons of jet fuel driven by RICHARD T. JAMES, age 72, from San Antonio, Texas, was traveling on Highway 730 near milepost 203 when it traveled off the roadway. The truck and trailers went down an embankment where they overturned onto their side with the truck coming to rest on railroad tracks.
JAMES was able to get out of the truck and was later transported by ambulance to Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston with possible minor injuries. He was driving for KCCS Inc.
After the initial crash, one train approaching the area stopped but a second train didn't stop and collided with the overturned truck and one of the tanker trailers.
Hermiston Fire Department, Oregon Region 10 HazMat Team, ODOT and Union Pacific Railroad personnel responded to the scene and assisted OSP. The major damage occurred to the truck. The highway was blocked for about 8 hours.