Terrebonne, OR — A dump truck rolled over, spilling its cargo into the street just east of Terrebonne, Oregon, on Wednesday. Authorities have named Steve DeRock as the driver in the accident. The accident took place around two in the afternoon.
According to reports, DeRock was negotiating a curve on NW Smith Rock Way when the 18-wheeler he was driving turned over. Investigators have listed DeRock’s speed as a factor in the crash.
DeRock sustained minor injuries and was taken to St. Charles Redmond. At last report, he had not been cited in the accident.
No one else was reported as being involved in the accident.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary
Cases like this can be a little strange, because they aren’t always as open and shut as they may seem on the surface. Investigators have said that speed was a contributing factor to the accident. The driver flipped the truck while coming around a corner. It seems simple enough. But I always try to give the driver the benefit of the doubt when these sorts of things happen. Why was the driver speeding? If we’re being honest, these guys work very hard and are under a lot of pressure to deliver their cargo in as short an amount of time as they can. They’re not considered to be working unless the wheels of their trucks are spinning, which, through ECM technology, is able to be kept track of by the trucking company. It’s unfortunate, but sometimes this pressure causes drivers to make dumb decisions. Yes, it’s possible that none of that is happening here, but it’s something to keep in mind when looking at a case like this.
— Grossman Law Offices
