Culver, Ore. – According to Senior Trooper Justin Lane, on March 21st, 2015 at approximately 2:25 PM, a 2015 Freightliner tractor pulling a 53 foot trailer, belonging to Covenant Transport, hauling a small load of juice, driven by Mark Buckingham, 59, from Harrah, OK; was traveling northbound on US 97 near milepost 104 (approx. 1/2 mile north of Culver Highway) when it traveled onto the northbound shoulder and subsequently rolled onto the passenger side after traveling back onto the roadway.
Citizens helped extricate Buckingham who was wearing a seat belt. The truck/trailer combo blocked both travel lanes for approximately one hour. Buckingham was transported to St. Charles Madras by ambulance with minor injuries.
The investigation revealed Buckingham was traveling at 61 mph, when a bee flew in his partially open window.
The bee landed on his neck, and he attempted to swat it off, and in the process knocked his glasses off his face. Buckingham began to look for his glasses and suddenly realized he was off the roadway. Buckingham tried to get back onto the highway, but the trailer caused the combo to roll. Buckingham was cited for failure to drive within lane.
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