Diesel and Trash Spilled in US-101 Ditch After Driver Fell Asleep

Washington State Patrol reported this morning that a fully loaded garbage truck went over a guardrail on US-101 after the driver fell asleep at the wheel.

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The crash happened at milepost 299 near Mt. Walker in Jefferson County. After crashing, the garbage truck rolled into the ditch and is now leaking diesel (and trash) onto the hillside.

Photo Shows a Destroyed Garbage Truck Almost on Its Top in the Ditch

The photos from the scene show a blue cab garbage truck completely on its side, rolled so far over down the embankment that it is nearly upside down. Multiple trees were snapped on the way down the hillside and are holding the truck from rolling down the hill.

The truck is buried deep enough down the hill into the ditch that simply getting heavy recovery equipment into position to pull it up and haul it out is going to be a big operation.

Then add an active diesel leak, and that adds up to long wait times for traffic to wait while the crew clears the scene.

The driver was suspected of falling asleep, which caused the crash. The trooper warns to expect an extended delay, but looking at what crews are working with out there, that might be an understatement.

Traffic Is Moving, but Slowly Through the Crash Zone

US 101 at milepost 299 is currently running alternating traffic as crews work to manage the scene and begin the recovery process. One lane is getting through, but patience is required for anyone traveling this stretch of the Olympic Peninsula on Tuesday morning.

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Luckily, there is not much traffic.