Ethan Hoagland
Three people, including a teenager, are recovering after a log truck crash on Highway 228. It happened at about 6:48 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 11.
Oregon State Police said a log truck was heading east on 228 near milepost 19 – near the Linn County Road Department Sweet Home Maintenance Facility – when the trailer flipped on its side and dumped logs into the road. OSP said the truck driver, 27-year-old John Hainz, told them the back wheels of the trailer went off the roadway, causing the trailer to fishtail and swerve before toppling over.
A Chervrolet Camaro heading west, driven by 52-year-old Sweet Home resident Michelle Hagle with the 15-year-old passenger, crashed into the logs in the road, according to OSP. Troopers said a Subaru driven by 25-year-old Kylee Vodden then crashed into the back of the Chevrolet.
OSP said Hagle, the teenager and Vodden were all taken to the hospital with injuries. Hainz, the truck driver, was issued a citation and warning. The crash shut down the highway for a couple hours the morning of Dec. 11. ODOT crews cleaned up the logs on the afternoon of Tuesday, Dec. 12.