A big-rig hauling almost 50,000 pounds of potatoes overturned and came to rest on it’s side just south of the Eagle Lake turnoff on Highway 139 Thursday. The driver of the tractor-trailer combination, identified by the California Highway Patrol as Klamath Falls resident Mark Paul Rodgers, escaped with only minor injuries.
According to details released Tuesday by the Susanville CHP office, Rodgers was driving the 1994 Freightliner southbound on the highway when, for reasons still under investigation, he allowed the vehicle to travel from his lane across to the northbound lane before overturning.
The load of potatoes was strewn onto the east shoulder of the highway and the truck came to rest on its left side facing in a southerly direction, partially blocking the northbound lane.
After overturning diesel fuel began to spill from the Freightliner and run across the roadway where it saturated the west shoulder with approximately 30-gallons of diesel fuel.
“The scene was deemed a Haz Mat and proper notifications and clean up efforts were initiated,” said CHP Public Information Officer Kristen Wilburn.
The driver was transported by REMSA to Banner Lassen complaining of scrapes to his arm and leg.
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