Pipes Strewn Across Lanes Closes Oregon Highway 22

Load of Pipe Partially Blocks Highway 22E west of Detroit Following Truck Crash

Photo of pipe strewn across the lanes of Highway 22E Tuesday: Oregon State Police

(DETROIT, Ore.) - A late Tuesday commercial truck crash resulted in approximately 400 feet of Highway 22E west of Detroit being partially blocked for several hours by a spilled load of plastic water pipe, police said. The driver was not injured and was cited related to the crash.

According to Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Doug Brown, Tuesday at approximately 11:00 PM a Peterbuilt commercial truck pulling a semi-trailer loaded with 8-inch plastic water pipe was being driven westbound on Highway 22E near milepost 46.

Brown says the truck's driver, 61-year old Lavon D. Woodard whose home of record not available, failed to negotiate a curve and crossed over the oncoming lane onto the south shoulder of the highway.

"Woodard over-corrected and swerved back toward his own lane causing the load of pipe to break free from the tie-downs and fall onto the highway. Some of the pipe struck the south guardrail, causing damage and a significant quantity of the pipe went over the steep embankment."

According to Brown, the truck sustained very minor damage and Woodard was not injured. There were no other vehicles were involved.

Debris from the incident has blocked about 400 feet of the eastbound lane. Workers were on site during the night clearing the lane as a single lane of traffic was open with flagger assistance.

Brown says Woodard was cited for Careless Driving.