Another one bites the ditch
Staff writer
A brand-new county dump truck rolled off Goldenrod Rd. just after 1 p.m. Feb. 18, landing on its side.
The accident occurred while the truck was plowing snow north of 190th Rd.
While the majority of that day’s snowfall occurred in the evening, the truck was working on a flurry in the morning when it overturned, county commissioner Jonah Gehring said.
The driver, David Silhan, hurt his collarbone in the accident and was taken to a hospital.
The truck still was there the following afternoon. A large amount of sand to be spread out at intersections and used as ballast during plowing had spilled onto the snow.
The truck has since been taken to the road and bridge shop and is running again.
This was the fourth time in a little over a month that a county vehicle had rolled off the side of the road.
A loader rolled into a ravine Feb. 12 while trying to help a county snowplow that itself had fallen off the road.
Another county truck slid off the road Jan. 4 while aiding a county ambulance.
“It is unusual for us to have this many incidents in a season,” county administrator Tina Spencer said. “Poor weather conditions are the primary contributing factor. Our operators often have to get out when the weather event is still in progress, which is dangerous.”
Gehring said that the county might conduct additional training in the future, but that more conversations were necessary.
“I need to talk with [Road and Bridge Superintendent] Steve [Hudson] about that,” he said. “I’m sure there’s something, probably, that’s going to be addressed.”
Spencer did not indicate whether a training program would be offered.
“These recent events have occurred with some of our most experienced personnel at the wheel,” she said. “If there are sets of circumstances that point to a preventable incident, that is addressed with the department head and the personnel involved.”
The country has insurance on the vehicle, though the amount it will be reimbursed is still to be determined.
“I haven’t received information yet regarding this particular vehicle’s actual amount of damage,” Spencer said.
Similar-size dump trucks cost between $120,000 and $180,000.