A Complex Towing Job
Earlier this week, we were called out to respond to a serious accident involving two semi-trucks on I-5 northbound just north of Delaney Road outside of Salem, OR. The blue truck was pulling over and, unfortunately, ran into the white truck, which was parked on the side of the road. Fortunately, everyone is okay. However, the scene was complex, and both trucks required I-5 semi towing and heavy-duty recovery services.
The Challenge of Glass Clean-up
The biggest challenge we faced was the load of the blue truck—an enormous amount of commercial glass. The last thing we wanted was to track broken glass across the road or cause further damage, like popping tires. Our team immediately focused on containing and clearing the glass. Oscar, one of our operators, brought out a dump trailer. We filled it entirely with glass debris, along with more that we’ll need to haul away later. Clean-up like this isn’t fast or easy, and it was just the beginning of what turned into an 8-hour operation.
Coordinating Multiple Heavy Vehicles
To handle the recovery, we sent six members of our team. Tenny arrived in truck 204, Kyle brought the semi-tractor 215, John came in 221, our flatbed truck. Travis rolled in with truck 213, and Nick was in 220. With all hands on deck, we started the heavy lifting—literally. As a company experienced in I-5 semi towing, we knew this job would require the right tools and coordination.
The blue truck suffered severe damage. The cab was torn apart, the front suspension was destroyed, tires were flattened, and the brakes on the tractor were locked up. To complicate things further, the trailer attached to the blue truck also had flat tires. We loaded the blue truck onto a trailer to transport it back to the customer’s shop for repairs. This was another case where expert I-5 semi towing was crucial.
Salvaging the White Truck and Trailer
The white truck, though empty, didn’t escape unscathed. Its trailer took the brunt of the impact, and its rear axle was off-kilter. This meant we couldn’t just tow it as-is. A bare wheel was resting on the ground, so we had to improvise. First, we removed a wheel from the front of the tractor and mounted it on the rear of the trailer. Once the axle was straightened out using our medium-duty tow truck, we chained it into place. Nick then hooked up the white truck and trailer combo and towed it up to Troutdale, just north of Portland, handling the job with our reliable I-5 semi towing services.
On-Site Assistance from ODOT and Oregon State Police
We were fortunate to have help on the scene from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oregon State Police. ODOT played a major role in helping manage traffic by closing off the lane and bringing out equipment to clear the glass from the pavement. The Oregon State Police also responded and ensured the area was secure, allowing us to focus on the I-5 semi towing.
Wrapping Up and Next Steps
After the clean-up and towing operation was done, we assisted the client with glass disposal. Breaking down the remaining glass and safely throwing it into dumpsters took additional time, but it was important to get it done right. While the white truck could be re-towed to Troutdale, the blue truck required significant repairs before getting back on the road. This entire incident highlighted how critical our I-5 semi towing services are in getting trucks back on the road after major accidents.
Why Baker & Baker Is the Team You Can Count On
At Baker & Baker, we know how critical quick, effective recovery is after an incident like this. Accidents happen, and when they do, we’re there with the right team, equipment, and know-how to get the job done. If you ever need I-5 semi towing, trust us to handle it.
