Heavy fog and slick roads caused a four truck pile-up that claimed the lives of two of the drivers Sunday night on I-84 near Pendleton, Oregon. The pile-up was actually a series of three separate accidents.
The first crash happened when a driver lost control of his truck on the icy roadway and crashed on the roadside with his trailer sticking out onto the roadway. After the first impact, two other semis crashed in to the trailer of the first truck, killing both drivers. It appears that at least one of these drivers was not wearing his seatbelt. Then the fourth truck was added to the pileup, but thankfully the driver was able to walk away with only minor injuries.
According to the Oregon State Police officers who responded to the call, heavy fog may have obscured the trailer from view and the icy roads may have made it difficult for the trucks to stop once they were able to see the obstruction ahead.
The investigation in to the accident is still ongoing, so if anyone has any additional information, they are being asked to call Trooper Ryan Sharp at (541) 278-9080.
Next Story: California Says: Driver Facing Camera Not A Privacy Violation
Source: krem
Laura says
This is not correct. This accident happened Sunday night, not Wed night. It was also said there were 6 trucks involved. Someone needs to get the facts straight.
Samuel Barradas says
Thanks for the correction, it was indeed Sunday night. All the news I’ve read on this says that 4 trucks were involved. Can you point me to an article that confirms 6 trucks being involved?
Derek says
http://www.katu.com/news/local/2-dead-after-trucks-crash-on-I-84-in-Eastern-Oregon-248226841.html
Samuel Barradas says
Thanks, I appreciate the update!
Santiago says
Rest assured the accidents were the drivers faults for driving in bad weather .They should have shut down before this could happen.Im playing Devils Advocate here
Rob says
Oregon is very retroactive when it comes to bad road conditions and Cabbage is not a hill to be messed with. Too sad.
Ray says
Icy roads and thick fog. I wouldn’t drive in those conditions. My heart and prayers go out to all those affected by this.
Jamie says
I have been over cabbage 4 times in the last 3 weeks. EVERY time I came over it was so foggy you couldn’t see 20ft in front of you. But the super truckers that were running light would flyright by. It was bound to happen…
JD /aka, jdcrash says
Ice and fog>>>> were always my worse fears of trucking. there were a few times a load was late because i whould not even after 20+ yrs. drive in them when these 2 got together.
1. fog >>>>> cant see what your about to hit, or is going to hit you til its too late.
2.ice>>>> cant stop , control or think about doing anything .
And to be careful and take your time?????????? yea right, someone always isnt, and will always be slaming you about getting the hell out of the way. or flying by you, and wrecking down the road like that other guy said.
Road champion says
Cabbage hill is not so tough if you follow the right protocol for road conditions so what you go 44-50 mph to get off safely
Michelle says
It’s called driving too fast for the conditions. Slow down drivers. Your life and the lives of others is worth more than the load you are hauling.
Douglas Kirk says
All u weak sisters who wet their pants at the thought of a mountain should stay home by the fire. Cabbage is a very small hill that shouldn’t cause problems for anybody. If the weather doesn’t suit you park it. I have had a commercial license since 1977, and can remember when the big trucks rolled no matter what the weather was. Now everbody panics when they see a cloud.
Curly says
Correct, cabbage is a little blown out of proportion. However, take poor conditions and add under or poorly trained drivers and you get a reciepe for disaster. I know I can handle mountains but, can the drivers around me? Better to error on the side of caution. Ice is the one condition I refuse to drive in. Not because I can’t. Instead cause there is always some one who thinks “the sign says 70 so it must be ok”. That is why WY put in digital signs. They reduced accidents by 1/2 after they were installed. Anyone can drive in poor conditions but, a true PROFESSIONAL DRIVER knows when he/she shouldn’t be driving. It has nothing to do with being a coward. It’s about the safety of you and everyone around you. Over confidence is more dangerous than inexperiance. Skill or luck might get you by99.9% of the time, but eventually your luck will run out and your skills won’t be enough. I just hope I’m not next to that person when that happens. The final destination for every run I make is my front door and if I don’t make it there, then I haven’t done my iob!
john says
It’s not the fault of the weather! Just too fast for conditions. Drivers have to use better judgement. I’ve seen many crashes while I was out there. Always too fast. If bad weather warranted it, I just parked. Screw the load. It isn’t worth your life. I have driven in all types of bad weather, and what scared me were the “good “drivers who would go whizzing by at 75+mph, in the fog, etc. The “timid” drivers were a close second. They drove way too “safe” usually going too slow, bunching up the traffic and using the brakes at the wrong times, ending up in real trouble, then blaming the road conditions. I can drive, but, to be safe I would park it, and wait. I’ve never had any problems.
Kent says
Probably no salt on the roads, so at least the roadside vegetation is safe. Morons in Oregon.
richard says
The thing that always saves me from problems out on the road. And i’ve drove alot of years hauling over bad winter runs. Donner, Cabbage and alot of the north west. I use the Butt Pucker reason, the more my butt puckers the slower i go. Never had a wreak, one moving violation in my life, never slid on ice, have had alot of close calls but i always got through it. common sense is what keeps you safe.
Michael says
Any road that is icy, snowy, foggy, rainy, etc should be driven on carefully. It was raining hard in Illinois the other day and all the “Supertruckers” were complaining about the speed. The biggest problem I saw was everyone was following too close. Tailgating leads to slower speeds and panic braking. I get off the road when conditions get bad and too many drivers around me are driving like retards.