Semi-truck lands in Columbia River

MATTAWA — A driver died after his semi-truck rolled over a guardrail and ended in the Columbia River Monday night, four miles north of Mattawa.

The driver of the semi-truck, Albert D. Gumm, 45, Nampa, Idaho, was driving northbound on state Route 243 when he approached a sharp turn and struck the guardrail, according to the Washington State Patrol.

“The area is marked as a 60 mph zone, but there are numerous signs marked to slow down for the sharp turn,” said state Trooper Rich Magnussen.

The Grant County Coroner’s Office did not recover Gumm’s body until early Tuesday morning, said Magnussen.

Gumm was working at the time of death.

“He was en route to pick up a load,” said Magnussen.

The state patrol did not know which company Gumm was working for at the time.

The cause of death is still under investigation by state patrol.

No charges are expected to be filed.

Gumm was taken to the coroner’s office to be examined.

Magnussen said there had been other trucks that rolled off of the area in the past.