PORT ANGELES — A wrecked truck that blocked a portion of U.S. Highway 101 Wednesday belonged to a contractor working for the state Department of Transportation.
The truck was involved in the Highway 101 repaving project between Tumwater Truck Route and Lake Sutherland, said Trooper Krista Hedstrom, State Patrol spokeswoman.
While most roadwork is complete, Transportation officials said there is still some striping work being completed on highway shoulders.
The driver, Richard A. Parker, swerved the truck to avoid hitting a deer, lost control and rolled into a ditch near the highway’s intersection with South Dry Creek Road.
Firefighters from Clallam County Fire District No. 2 had to use the “jaws of life” to release Parker from the cab of the truck.
The wreck at Milepost 248 was reported at 6:17 p.m. and blocked one lane for nearly one hour while State Patrol troopers investigated.
Transportation workers assisted the State Patrol with traffic control.
Parker’s 1984 International truck was towed to the yard for later inspection, Hedstrom said.
Because it is a work vehicle, the truck must be inspected for possible safety problems, she said.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
