Driver temporarily trapped under flipped dump truck
CENTER TWP — Firefighters had to rescue a driver who found herself trapped Friday morning on Route 308 in a sport utility vehicle with a dump truck partially on her vehicle.
State police said the woman, who is believed to be in her 50s and from the West Sunbury area, was unable to avoid the heavy truck that crossed into her lane about 10 a.m.
A medical helicopter later flew her from the scene to a Pittsburgh hospital with moderate to serious injuries.
An accident report was not available and police did not immediately release the names of the drivers.
The driver of the Freightliner truck, owned by an Oil City, Venango County company, was taken by ambulance to Butler Memorial Hospital with an apparent minor injury.
Police said the truck, which was empty, was traveling north on Route 308 in Center Township around a bend just south of Renick's Tree Farm when it slid out of control, crossing into the opposing lane.
The woman was southbound in a Mazda CX-7 and could not get out of the way. Her vehicle struck the truck.
She later told police what happened.
“She said the truck was coming sideways and flipped on her,” Trooper Matthew Lesnett said. “She said she was unable to avoid the truck.”
Unionville volunteer firefighters quickly stabilized the truck that was on its passenger side, partially on the SUV. Crews then moved in to rescue the woman, cutting off her vehicle's roof to get her out.
“She was conscious and talking,” said Mike Pflugh, Unionville's first assistant fire chief. But she was in pain — to her abdominal area, neck and extremities.
A STAT MedEvac helicopter landed on the road at an intersection north of the crash and flew her to UPMC Presbyterian.
Authorities said the truck driver, who complained of a headache, was able to get out on his own and was walking around soon after the collision.
Police noted there was slush on the side of the road but they did not believe the road was slick.
The driver of the truck, Lesnett said, will be cited for unspecified traffic violations.
