Semi Truck Crash Spares Driver's Life But Closes Coastal Highway (PHOTO SERIES)

Investigators do not believe the driver was using safety restraints at the time of the crash. OSP troopers from the Newport Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

Photos of crash scene courtesy: Oregon State Police

(OTIS, Ore.) - Police say a Klamath Falls-area man received non-life threatening injuries Thursday morning when he lost control of his commercial vehicle and crashed on Highway 18 east of Lincoln City.

Highway 18 was closed at the crash location and re-opened by mid-afternoon. It's nothing new on this winding Oregon coast highway; and they often lock traffic and routes around Lincoln City down tight.

Oregon State Police Sergeant Justin McGladrey, says 52-year old David Coons of Klamath Falls was driving a semi truck around 8:00 a.m. this morning, pulling a trailer loaded with paper rolls eastbound on Highway 18 near milepost 2, when the truck crashed receiving serious damage.

"Entering a right curve, Coons lost control and traveled across the westbound lane. The truck rolled onto its driver's side and slid off an approximate 20-foot embankment," McGladrey said.

"The trailer came to rest on its side off the highway after damaging approximately 125 feet of guardrail. Coons was trapped in the truck and extricated by personnel from North Lincoln Fire and Rescue."

McGladrey says the driver was transported by Pac West ambulance to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital; from where he was transferred by REACH air ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators do not believe Coons was using safety restraints at the time of the crash. OSP troopers from the Newport Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

"Speed is a possible contributing factor," McGladrey added.

In addition to the above mentioned agencies, ODOT assisted at the scene.

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This driver is VERY lucky to be alive. It took fire personnel over an hour to cut him out of the truck.

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