Semi-truck rolled in Harney County and driver can’t get his story straight
By Mindy Gould on Friday, August 18th, 2023 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
Harney County-On Wednesday, Oregon State Police came across an unreported rollover semi crash on the Crane Buchanan Road several miles south of HWY 20.
The driver, 33 year old Caleb Harper, of Heyburn Idaho, initially said in a police interview that the crash had occurred 45 minutes prior, but then admitted it had actually occurred much earlier. Harper stated that he didn’t report the crash to police because he didn’t have phone service, but when asked for his service provider, it was discovered that he did have cell phone service.
Harper reported that the crash had occurred as a result of collision avoidance with cattle in the road. However, roadway evidence indicated that the semi-truck and trailer had failed to negotiate the curve due to speed, causing the truck and trailer to roll onto the passenger side after entering the soft shoulder of the road.
Additionally, no cows were grazing in the area. When harper was confronted with the evidence, he then admitted he had been untruthful, and the cause of the crash had been his failure to negotiate the curve.
