Semi overturns in Wasilla

By Frontiersman staff
Published on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 1:22 PM AKDT

WASILLA — The elements conspired Wednesday morning to jackknife a Federal Express semi turning off the Parks Highway.

The driver was headed west on the Parks turning left onto Foundry Way, Wasilla Police Officer Rick Manrique said. Manrique said a groove in the pavement suggests that as the tractor-trailer turned — probably too sharply — the right front tire blew out.

Gauging by the direction of the wind turbine at the nearby KMBQ radio studios, the wind was blowing in just the right direction to push the semi over and on to its side.

(Use arrows above to view more photos)

It took three trucks from Matanuska Towing and Recovery to pull the semi back to its wheels.

The driver walked away from the crash with no injuries.

“That’s one expensive mistake,” Manrique said.

Comments

14 comment(s)

    Brian wrote on Oct 23, 2009 11:12 PM:

    " One thing's for sure...there are going to be a whole lot of people in the Valley being told that they "didn't package their package properly" when they file damage claims with FedEx! "

    FED EX wrote on Oct 23, 2009 9:13 AM:

    " Nuuds to slow waaayyyy down.

    They were speeding (40) in Victoria Estates Subdivision on Wellington Drive just last night. The speed limit is 20.

    I will file a complaint. "

    Jason wrote on Oct 22, 2009 11:36 PM:

    " foundry is between kmbq and creekside plaza...fedex is located at the end of foundry. "

    valleymessenger wrote on Oct 22, 2009 3:06 PM:

    " Great reporting, great detective work by WPD...One question of the WPD & Frontiersman staff, did the front tire blow out after the crash and the photo's taken and the story posted here? "

    frustrated wrote on Oct 22, 2009 7:58 AM:

    " Who wrote this article? It starts off saying the front tire was flat causing a groove in the pavement. Then it says the wind was blowing in the right direction to hint that it was blown over. To end the story they got a cop saying it was an expensive mistake. What kind of a story is this? I guess this is what should be expected from a low budget valley paper. Maybe they should get the yearbook staff from Wasilla and Plamer High to write better articles next time. "

    digginwithloi wrote on Oct 22, 2009 12:17 AM:

    " Roll over turning off the Parks with no snow? Yikes look out for all drivers in a big hurry- On time, speedy delivery, what ever...
    Smarter, safer drivers or equipment operaters simply Slow down prior to turning. "

    towneil wrote on Oct 21, 2009 9:53 PM:

    " technically that is a rollover not a jackknife.. After driving trucks for 12 years, I would have to say the guy just didnt slow down enough for the turn. At least no one was hurt. Good job to MTR for more great work on the recovery. "

    Wind-silla wrote on Oct 21, 2009 9:31 PM:

    " KMBQ said the driver was driving too fast? What gives? "

    random wrote on Oct 21, 2009 7:37 PM:

    " drug test. "

    Kendi wrote on Oct 21, 2009 6:19 PM:

    " I was actually there at the CCS building and ran to see if he was ok. I also dialed 911. We were in a meeting and it shook the whole building. Didnt mention the light pole he snapped in half. Good samaritan doing our duties. "

    fun fun fun wrote on Oct 21, 2009 5:48 PM:

    " Yee Haw! And I thought disney world was fun! Strange it does look like both tires are inflated......
    Where the heck is foundry anyway? "

    jp wrote on Oct 21, 2009 4:35 PM:

    " how could they overlook the tire tracks through the ditch??? "

    UPS conspirator wrote on Oct 21, 2009 2:33 PM:

    " The right front tire, in fact both front tires look inflated in these pictures. what gives? "

    Derek wrote on Oct 21, 2009 1:38 PM:

    " No wonder my packages didn't come today. Gosh. "

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