A 64-year-old commercial truck driver was killed early Friday morning in a single-vehicle accident on Interstate 84 in Hood River.
The Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the cause the crash.
According to the OSP, Melvin Roy Schwark of Lyle, Wash., was traveling westbound on I-84, operating a 2004 Freightliner truck and pulling an empty container trailer when the accident occurred just after 5 a.m. The truck and trailer apparently drifted to the left and struck the guardrail on the south side of the traffic lanes. The truck and trailer continued westbound into the center median before colliding with a tree. A section of the tree fell, partially blocking the left eastbound lane.
Schwark, who was wearing his seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators are looking into the possibility that the driver suffered a medical emergency while driving that may have been a factor in the crash.
One lane was blocked in both directions and the highway was cleared about seven hours after the crash.
More Stories from Northeast Oregon Now:
Hermiston Library to Celebrate Centennial
Mailing Made Easy Celebrates Grand Opening
