LUCERNE, Calif. — Traffic on a portion of Highway 20 in Lucerne was slowed for several hours on Friday afternoon after a log truck rolled over and spilled its load, blocked a part of the roadway.
The crash occurred just before 1 p.m. in the westbound lane of Highway 20 at Foothill Drive.
California Highway Patrol officers at the scene told Lake County News that the rollover appeared to have occurred due to a weight shift as the tractor trailer — carrying a load of large logs — was coming through a curve.
They said the truck was headed westbound to Ukiah. At that time, they did not have information on where it had traveled from on Friday.
The truck had rolled onto the passenger side and was blocking the road, while the logs were along the shoulder.
The truck’s driver was uninjured but he appeared shaken. He left the scene with individuals who appeared to be coworkers as the cleanup continued. The CHP said no other vehicles were involved.
A team of Caltrans workers were at the scene clearing the logs from the side of the road and using heavy equipment to place them along the chain link fence bordering Lucerne Elementary on Foothill Drive.
The CHP said the logs had damaged a water main and two utility poles. Power was still on but a Mediacom pole was sheared off. Caltrans signs also were damaged.
Once the logs were moved, the CHP said two heavy duty tow trucks that were on scene will move both the tractor trailer and will deliver the logs to their destination in Ukiah.
Officers said the work was expected to continue for a few hours on Friday afternoon, with traffic control to remain in place.
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