Semi crashes into river, injuring driver

TOKETEE: A semitruck crashed off of Highway 138 East and into the North Umpqua River this morning, sending the driver to the hospital with serious injuries, officials said.

The crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. just west of Toketee, about 30 miles east of Glide, said Jared Castle, an Oregon Department of Transportation spokesman.

Justin J. Shaffer, 36, of Dillard was driving an empty Terrain Tamers chip truck east on Highway 138 about 11 miles east of Steamboat near Milepost 51 when he failed to negotiate a right curve and crossed the highway, according to the Oregon State Police. The truck traveled down a steep embankment and into the river, seriously injuring Shaffer.

Shaffer was flown to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.

Approximately 150 gallons of diesel spilled into the river after the 6 a.m. crash, according to OSP. First Strike Environmental and ODOT hazardous materials workers were called to the scene and a tow truck will be hauling the semi out of the river.

The crash is still under investigation. The Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife were notified of the spill.

More information will be released as it becomes available.