Semi rolls, blocks I-90
Matthew Weaver/Columbia Basin HeraldDamage to an overturned semi truck is apparent as crews work to remove it from westbound Interstate 90 Wednesday morning.
Driver reportedly fell asleep
MOSES LAKE - A semi truck rolled on Interstate 90 Wednesday morning near Moses Lake, allegedly due to the driver falling asleep.
Traffic in the westbound lane of the interstate was rerouted to North Frontage Road until early Wednesday afternoon, Washington State Patrol Trooper Rich Magnussen said. The one-vehicle collision was reported a few minutes after 3 a.m.
Harold J. Jeannette, 40, Humboldt, Iowa, was traveling westbound on the interstate when the 2007 Freightliner pulling a trailer reportedly left the roadway and rolled, the state patrol reported. The semi reportedly came to a stop on its right side in the westbound lane, 12 miles east of Moses Lake.
Jeannette was treated at Samaritan Healthcare for a shoulder and neck injury, the state patrol advised. He was released from the medical center the same day.
Loren W. Binstock, 47, Marshalltown, Iowa, was treated at Samaritan Healthcare for a hip injury, the state patrol reported. He was reportedly released from the medical center the same day.
Binstock was reportedly not wearing a seat belt. He appeared to be asleep in the sleeper cab, Magnussen said.
The cause of the collision was reportedly due to Jeannette falling asleep, he noted. The two men were reportedly alternating shifts between driving and sleeping. The last time they swapped shifts was believed to be in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Magnussen said.
The state patrol anticipates charging Jeannette for negligent driving in the second degree and expect to forward their investigative reports to the Grant County Prosecutor's Office, Magnussen said.
The semi was reportedly totaled and towed from the scene at roughly 1 p.m. Agri-Fix Towing of Moses Lake assisted in removing the semi and hundreds of boxes of freight from the scene.
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