Truck Collides with Grader on I-5 North of Ashland

A semi-truck driver was not injured, but he was cited by police for Careless Driving.

Photos of crash scene: Oregon State Police

(ASHLAND, Ore.) - Police say a Jackson County grader operator was struck from behind by a commercial truck Monday morning, receiving only minor injuries.

The operator was northbound on the freeway north of Ashland when the commercial truck rear ended the grader.

Oregon State Police Trooper Brandon Boice says the crash happened this morning at approximately 9:58 a.m.

The impact caused the grader, driven by 56-year old James r. Stith of Medford, to roll until it came to rest off the freeway in the east side ditch.

He received minor injuries in the crash.

The 2008 Volvo truck pulling a semi-trailer that struck the grader was driven by 55-year old Robert W. Cochran of Anderson, California.

Boice says the truck had been traveling northbound at 45 – 50 mph in the left lane near milepost 20.

"As the truck attempted to merge into the right northbound lane it came upon the Caterpillar grader that was traveling about 30 mph and crashed into the rear of it," Boice said.

The truck and trailer came to rest partially off the right shoulder blocking the right northbound lane and shoulder.

Cochran was not injured. He was cited by OSP for Careless Driving.

The crash did lead to closure of the right northbound lane on the I-5 for several hours as the vehicles were removed from the roadway.

OSP troopers from the Central Point Area Command office are completing the investigation.

Jackson County Fire District #5 and ODOT assisted at the scene.