Jack-knifed semi spills 100 gallons

ROSALIA—U.S. Highway 195 was partially blocked for about three hours yesterday morning five miles north of Rosalia. According to Washington State Trooper Jeff Sevigney, the driver was driving too fast for conditions, slid and jack-knifed, ending with the semi truck’s nose in the ditch. The driver was from California and inexperienced with the local conditions, according to the trooper. The driver, who was cited for driving too fast for conditions, was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the incident. Drugs and alcohol were not involved.

A slow leak from the saddle tank of the semi resulted in about 100 gallons of diesel spilling. Department of Ecology responded to handle the spill.

No one was injured in the collision. According to Trooper Sevigney, the driver was heading from the Spokane area to Lewiston, traveling southbound on 195. After the semi was jack-knifed in the snow, the right lane of the southbound traffic was blocked by the trailer.