Semi-Truck Crushes Small Car in Salem

Both the driver and the passenger had to be extricated by fire crews.

Photo courtesy: Chris Riffle/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - Salem firefighters arriving on the scene of a crash just before 11:00 AM Tuesday morning found two people trapped inside a small car with a semi-truck on top of it.

The wreck happened at the intersection of Liberty and Pine Streets NE. Deputy Fire Marshall Chris Riffle says the alarm led to the response of 3 Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, and a Battalion Chief.

Firefighter/Paramedics arriving on the scene discovered that the semi-truck hit the passenger vehicle that was heading north on Liberty and the front of the car was literally pushed all the way to the ground.

As the heavy impact from the semi-truck crushed the smaller vehicle, both the driver and the passenger became trapped inside.

Riffle says Salem Fire teams quickly extricated the male driver and female passenger and both were transported to Salem Hospital in fair condition.

The northbound lanes of Liberty were emergency crews completed their work. An accident is under investigation.