A tractor trailer overturned after it collided with a car that had made an improper turn at Saluda last week, reported Sgt. J. Dudley of the Gloucester Office of the Virginia State Police.
According to the crash report, at 10:40 a.m. on Thursday, April 13 a 2014 Chevrolet sedan was turning from Gloucester Road onto southbound U.S. Route 17. (This the intersection near the Hardee’s restaurant.
The juvenile driver did not turn into the left lane, but instead crossed into the right lane of Route 17 and into the path of an 18-wheeler, which struck the car in the rear. The impact pushed the car off the road to the right. The big rig, due to its momentum, continued a short distance, ran off the right side of Route 17 and overturned.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts and no injuries were reported. Damian Brooks of Tappahannock was driving the tractor trailer hauling wood chips.
The name of the juvenile driver of the car could not be released. The car’s driver has been charged with making an improper turn, said Sgt. Dudley, who added the law requires a turning car to use the lane closest to where it’s turning from. When turning left, the turning vehicle is to use the left of a divided highway, then, after gaining speed the vehicle can change lanes, he said.
A right turning vehicle is to use the right lane when entering a divided highway.
The report estimates $40,000 in damage to the tractor trailer owned by Anderson Trucking; and $10,000 for the car.
Traffic was detoured around the site during recovery and clean up.
