Truck wreck ties up traffic

WALERVILLE: Traffic snarled to a stop and blocked the McKenzie Highway Monday morning after trucks collided at the site of recurring accidents. According to reports from the Oregon State Police, the accident occurred at 8:07 a.m. at Milepost 13, where the roadway crosses a narrow bridge over the Eugene Water & Electric Board's Walterville Canal.

Police say the driver of a white Hino box truck left the road for unknown reasons and then re-entered the highway. He then hit the sidewalk of the bridge, sending him into oncoming traffic. He collided with a white Ford F350 service pickup. After the collision, the box truck ended up on its side in the ditch.

The driver of the box truck, Jose Manuel Manzo-Gudino, 25, was cited for No Operator's License and Careless Driving.

Two trucks and a command vehicle from McKenzie Fire & Rescue responded with personnel to the scene. While this MVA was non-injury, it created traffic challenges until the vehicles were removed. Overall, McKenzie Fire & Rescue was on the scene for 49 minutes, until the scene was turned over to OSP and Oregon. Dept. of Transportation. LCSO also had a deputy arrive to conduct a commercial truck inspection.

ODOT reports the highway was closed for 40 minutes after the crash. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.