Car passing oversized load on I-84 crashes in Baker County
By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER COUNTY — A recent crash in Baker County serves as a reminder that passing oversized loads on the right on a freeway is typically not a good idea.
That’s what occurred on Sunday, May 19 between a car and a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on Interstate 84 westbound near milepost 321, about 16 miles southeast of Baker City
According to Oregon State Police, a white Nissan driven by 37-year-old Joseph Wojcik of Cedar Park, Texas attempted to pass an oversize load on the right. The Nissan then struck an Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) bridge guardrail and subsequently collided with a cement barrier. It then hit the side of the oversized load halfway down the trailer, leaving evidence on the trailer. Following the collisions, the Nissan came to an uncontrolled stop in the middle of the bridge, blocking both lanes of travel.
Wojcik and his wife, who was his passenger, were both injured in the crash. The driver of the CMV was not hurt.
Wojcik told OSP Troopers that he was attempting to pass but the lane “ended too quickly”. The CMV driver told OSP that noticed the white Nissan after feeling a bump and observing the vehicle collapse or “accordion” up.
Wojcik and his wife were transported by ambulance for medical treatment. He was later cited for making an unsafe pass on the right.
There was even a second crash related to this incident. Another crash occurred shortly after due to the traffic backup from the first crash. Near milepost 322, a white Prius was stopped in a visible line of cars waiting for the roadway to reopen. A dark gray Buick, failing to stop safely, struck the Prius from behind. Both vehicles managed to reach the inside shoulder to wait for police and both arranged for their own tows.
