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A truck loaded with hazardous chemicals swung off the road in Hermiston on the border of Walla Walla, Oregon around 6:00 am.
Richard James, 72, of San Antonio, Texas, semi-truck with 10,000 gallons of jet fuel. He was driving for KCCS Inc.
Oregon State Police said James lost control of the wheel when another vehicle tried to overtake. The semi-truck veered off the roadway landing sideways along the railroad tracks. The initial crash caused one oncoming train to stop and a second one to collide with the overturned truck and a tanker trailer.
James was able to head out of the truck with minor back injuries and was taken to Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston.
HAZMAT crews spent 8 hours clearing the wreckage from the tank that leaked about 10-15 gallons of fuel into the ground and moving the train past the truck to have the tracks reopened.
