Truck Driver Killed near Ontario Oregon

You are so correct about putting the decisions in your own hands regardless of the drivers who push the limits (veteran or greenhorn). The "bigger" person is the one that can recognize their limits and act accordingly. The old saying of "an ounce of prevention outweighs a pound of trouble" rings so true. As the wife of an OTR driver I understand the dangers you drivers face on the roads (having gone out on a few trips w/him) and have seen people throw caution to the wind, be it 4 wheelers or 18 wheelers. I am very thankful that my husband doesn't take unneccessary chances, and am grateful that I'm not receiving that dreaded phone call.
A quick update on this accident... apparently Mr. Belton was assisting the other TransSystems driver put on his chains when he was struck and that the chain-up area on I84 was already full, along with several other trucks parked on the side of the road just before the exit, all of which were chaining up. Investigation continues....

 

Everyone is really quick to blame the CRE driver, how many of you overlooked this tiny (but important) bit of information:

That little fragment changes things.

 

I've been at the Love's at exit 374 since just about an hour after the accident. First, the exit the accident happened on was hard snowpack - not a bit of trouble getting up it. Road conditions were good. In Ontario at the time of the accident it was snowing lightly, moderate easterly winds and overcast. The really bad weather was further up the road at Three Mile Hill.

The weather in Ontario had little to do with the accident other than to force us off the road to chain up.

 

That guy that killed them was from Southern California. Most of us don't have the slightest clue on how to drive in snow or white out conditions here.

Vince

 

And that was my previous point....

 

Maybe they thought "better 'safe' than sorry"? I have my own little policy for chains, if I have to put them on that truck will sit and I wont make a dime until I dont need the chains. And if they werent that bad that the "chain law" sign was not up (as read on previous post on this thread) I surely wouldnt have stopped on the shoulder or wherever to put them on no way. Not saying it was the deceased persons fault. Sometimes things just happen though. Hopefully the one who died went quickly and painlessly. But if the C.R. England driver is charged, you can almost count they will be sued. The family probably will try to sue anyway. I dont blame them though. I would to. I dont see how that CR England driver couldnt be charged hitting someone and going on. Or letting his vehicle veer across the lines (either one on either side) striking someone else. I know in Texas thats a big no no. If you cause an accident at least. But maybe the cause was the people being there where they maybe shouldnt have been.

 

I don't know if you can call me a truck driver but I am a school bus driver so I do drive a truck. The driver ya'll are talking about is my brother-in-law and he was a very gentle and giving man.

 

RFD Chief,

Dale and I are from Colville and were so very sorry to hear about Milton's senseless death.

People from home are very shocked and, yes, Milton was a very kindhearted man.

Please let his wife know how very sorry we are.

We are especially sorry that folks from home have to go such a long ways to find work these days. For those of you who may not know where Colville WA is, it is tucked up into the NE corner of Washington state. Close to BC and Idaho, just a small logging town where most folks know each other.

The very kindest regards to the Belton Family,

Dale and Laure Simpson
Team Express Transport

 

Thanks so much for your concern. There will be a memorial service for Scot in his home town of Ruston, La. on Tuesday at 12:00 noon Central time. His wife and family will be in attendance from both coast and from England.