Walmart Truck Crash Blocks River Road South (PHOTOS)

The driver was cited for violating the road use limits.

Photos by Deputy Casey Burnham

(SALEM) - Marion County Sheriff's Deputies are diverting traffic around the intersection of River Road South and Orville Road South due to a truck crash that is blocking River Road at the railroad crossing.

Deputies were called to the scene at 8:53 a.m. Traffic Safety Deputy Casey Burnham discovered a large semi truck and trailer wedged under the railroad crossing on River Road, about two miles east of Independence.

The driver of the Walmart truck & trailer, Glenn V. Bickford, 63, of Coos Bay, said he misread the height restriction sign and thought his truck and trailer would fit under the crossing. The impact left the 53' Great Dane trailer wedged under the crossing on a 45 degree angle, completely blocking the roadway in both directions. The damage to the trailer was major.

Bickford said he left the Walmart on South Commercial and used his truck's GPS to navigate to the Walmart store in Monmouth for his next pick up. The most direct route led him to Orville Road and River Road. He said he thought the height restriction sign for the crossing read 13' 9", but it is actually posted for 12' 9". The trailer is 13' 6" tall. He said he was unfamiliar with the area and was unable to find a place large enough to turn around. He was not injured and no other vehicles were involved.

Bickford was cited by Deputy Burnham for violating the road use limits. Burnham remained at the scene to assist Bickford in contacting his employer and removing the truck and trailer.

Wreckers have been called, but the response time from Woodburn will likely leave the road blocked for several hours. Marion County Public Works is posting signs to warn drivers to use alternate routes to Independence.