Semi goes off US 97, down embankment and loses load of apples

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wash. — A semitruck traveling on Highway 97 in the Orondo area went off the road at milepost 213 and lost its load.

According to Washington State Patrol trooper John Bryant, the semi went through a guardrail and down an embankment and is partially in a creek.

The semi driver lost the truck’s load of apples.

The driver was taken to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee and was in critical condition.

Traffic was redirected around the collision in the northbound lane until officials fully reopened the road at 10:15 p.m.

And at 8 a.m. Saturday, traffic was alternated while WSDOT crews continued cleaning up the mess left behind.

It is not clear yet what led to the semi crash.

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