PITMAN - A 45-year-old truck driver from Maine was killed Tuesday morning when his rig transporting a load of potatoes failed to negotiate a turn along curvy Route 125 between Pitman and Hegins, collided with a truck hauling hay, tore through a section of guard rail and overturned onto its driver's side, pinning the operator under the wreckage.
The accident took place in Eldred Township approximately three-quarters of a mile south of Creek Road and three miles south of Jack's Spot bar during a steady rain.
State police at Schuylkill Haven reported Norman L. Tuttle, of Presque Isle, Maine, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 9:20 a.m. crash by Schuylkill County Deputy Coroner Wallace Hodgson.
Carl E. Adams, 52, of Klingerstown, the driver of a 1999 International 4700 truck hauling hay, suffered a minor injury and was able to free himself from the wreckage before being transported by Hegins Ambulance to Schuylkill Medical Center South Jackson Street in Pottsville. Adams underwent emergency room treatment before being released.
Police said neither Tuttle nor Adams was wearing a seat belt.
The highway from Shamokin to Hegins Township is marked with signs warning truck drivers of steep grades and sharp turns, which have resulted in many serious accidents over the years.
Couldn't make turn
According to an accident report filed by Trooper Mark F. Baron, Tuttle was driving a 2006 Peterbilt tractor-trailer north on Rout 125 toward Pitman when his rig traveled downhill at a speed too fast for road conditions while hauling a fully-loaded trailer of potatoes. As the tractor-trailer approached a hard right-hand curve in the road, Tuttle was unable to properly negotiate the turn.
Police said the right side tires of the rig lifted off the highway before the rear section of the trailer struck the driver's side cargo area of the truck transporting 215 bales of hay, which was traveling south toward Hegins. After the initial impact, police said the truck was knocked over and came to rest on its passenger side off the highway.
The tractor-trailer traveled approximately 60 feet before falling onto its driver's side. The rig then slid on its side for approximately 140 feet before crossing into the southbound lane and exiting the paved portion of the road. The rig, which tore through a section of guard rail, slid down an embankment, spilling a portion of its load of potatoes onto the ground in a wooded area below.
Tuttle was ejected from the rig and trapped underneath the trailer. The cab of the truck came to rest against a small utility pole.
Both rigs towed
Both vehicles sustained extensive damage and were towed from the scene with heavy-duty trucks from Hammer's Towing in Minersville.
Assisting at the scene were several troopers, Hodgson, firefighters from Hegins, Klingerstown, Mahantongo, Sacramento and Gratz fire companies, and personnel from Hegins Ambulance.
Fire police directed southbound traffic away from the accident scene at the intersection of Route 125 and Walnut Hollow Road, while northbound traffic traveling over the mountain from Hegins to Pitman also was redirected.
Road closed into night
Firefighters spread anti-skid material at the accident scene during the morning hours to prevent police and emergency personnel from sliding while descending the mountain from Hegins. Personnel cleared the scene at 5:43 p.m., but PennDOT still had a section of the highway closed as of 8:30 p.m. and was expected to keep it shut down until this morning.