Tanker truck wreck closes highway for six hours

PREIST RIVER – A tanker truck loaded with emulsified asphalt dust abatement material overturned Wednesday, July 18, blocking Highway 57 north of Priest River for 6.5 hours, according to an Idaho State Police news release. The driver, a 27-year-old Spokane Valley man was unhurt, according to ISP. He was wearing a seatbelt and was the sole occupant.

The driver was heading north, when he drove onto the right shoulder at about at milepost 7, overcorrected and lost control. The truck came back onto the roadway, went left of center, and entered the southbound lane. The truck overturned and came to rest on its side blocking the roadway, according to the ISP release.

The crash, which happened at 12:46 p.m., remains under investigation.