Semi flips on Highway 135 blocking traffic
<p>A semi-trailer truck lost control on Highway 135 and blocked oncoming traffic. High speeds caused the truck to flip on its side and enter into a large side skid. </p>
PARADISE – A semi-trailer truck lost control and flipped on Highway 135 on Thursday, January 16 blocking part of the road.
According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Steven Gaston, the truck was traveling at a high rate of speed.
As the semi truck rounded a corner, the trailer began to push the truck – something Gaston said happens when a semi is traveling at high speeds.
The truck of the semi was pushed over first, hitting the guardrail. The guardrail kept the truck on the road, while its load of cut timber continued over the guardrail and into the ditch alongside the road.
The semi-truck entered a long side skid, traveling from 225 to 240 feet on its side. The truck came to a rest in the opposite lane, blocking oncoming traffic.
“He slid on the passenger side because the guardrail kept him from going all the way over,” Trooper Gaston said.
Plains-Paradise Rural Fire Department was on scene to help direct traffic.
Captain Pat Erving said the situation could have been a lot worse if the guardrail wasn’t present.
“He’s lucky he didn’t go over the embankment. It could have been a lot worse,” Erving said.
The driver of the semi was transported to Clark Fork Valley Hospital with minor injuries.