Drivers headed northbound to Vancouver on Interstate 5 caught a little flavor of afternoon traffic Tuesday morning after a tractor-trailer rig rolled over, briefly sending the driver to the hospital.
Getachew L. Ayalneh, 36, of Portland, was driving his truck north on the interstate at about 9:45 a.m. At the end of the bridge, he attempted to take the exit for state Highway 14 eastbound, but the rig rolled onto its side on the cloverleaf-style ramp, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Preliminary information indicated the truck was carrying a load of solar panels.
Ayalneh was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and later released. A small amount of engine oil spilled, but the truck’s diesel fuel tanks apparently were not leaking, according to emergency radio traffic monitored at The Columbian.
