Follow Us On Twitter

HERMISTON, Ore. — A semi truck transporting 10,000 gallons of jet fuel traveled off Highway 730 south of the Oregon/Washington border and overturned onto Union Pacific tracks. The portion of the highway that was closed for eight hours  has been reopened.

On February 25, 2013 in Hermiston, OR a tanker semi truck hauling jet fuel was struck by a train after becoming stuck on the tracks. Photo credit: Oregon State Police, KOIN

On February 25, 2013 in Hermiston, OR a tanker semi truck hauling jet fuel was struck by a train after becoming stuck on the tracks. Photo credit: Oregon State Police, KOIN

NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |

The accident occurred on Monday, Feb 25, at about 6 a.m., when a cargo tank which was pulling cargo tankers containing about 10,000 gallons of jet fuel was traveling on Highway 730 near milepost 203 when it traveled off the roadway.

Map showing location of tanker truck and train accident in Hermiston, OR on State Highway 730 near the Washington border on February 25, 2013.

Map showing location of tanker truck and train accident in Hermiston, OR on State Highway 730 near the Washington border on February 25, 2013.

OSP reports say the truck and trailers went down an embankment where they overturned onto their side with the truck coming to rest on railroad tracks. The driver, identified as 72-year-old man from San Antonio, Texas, was able to get out of the truck and was later transported by ambulance to Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston with possible minor injuries. He was driving for KCCS Inc.”

According to the Oregon State Police news release:

“Railway traffic was affected Monday for several hours after a commercial truck transporting jet fuel traveled off Highway 730 south of the Oregon/Washington border and overturned onto Union Pacific tracks.

“After the initial truck crash, a train traveling through the area collided with the overturned truck.

“Oregon State Police (OSP), ODOT, railroad officials and local emergency responders — including Hazmat personnel — were on scene during the day, investigating and coordinating removal the involved vehicles.”

koinlocal6.com reports

“After the initial crash, one train approaching the area did stop. However, police say a second train didn’t stop — colliding with the overturned truck and one of the tanker trailers.

State police reports that the highway was blocked for about 8 hours after the crash.

“Hermiston Fire Department, Oregon Region 10 HazMat Team, ODOT and Union Pacific Railroad personnel responded to the scene and assisted OSP,” the agency reports. “The major damage occurred to the truck.”

The incident remains under investigation at this time.


Truck Accident Lawyer News is a truck accident and personal injury blog that publishes up to date truck accident and truck legal news from across the United States.

Comments are closed.