Written by the FleetEasy Team
Serving Spokane and Eastern Washington
Winter driving is unpredictable and can change quickly! Snow-covered pavement, limited visibility, and heavy traffic create dangerous conditions. Pro-Tow by FleetEasy recently responded to a semi-truck accident westbound on I-90 at Four Lakes near Spokane, Washington, where this was the case.
During active snowfall and slick roadway conditions, a semi-truck and trailer jackknifed and collided with another tractor-trailer combination. FleetEasy dispatch coordinated with Pro-Tow to respond and safely remove the second tractor-trailer to clear the roadway. Here’s what happened during this coordinated semi-truck accident response:
Winter Conditions Increase Risk on I-90 Near Spokane
The I-90 corridor near Four Lakes is a critical freight route and one that becomes especially challenging during winter storms. In this incident, snow accumulation on the roadway and shoulders significantly complicated access to the scene. Heavy traffic quickly backed up, and response vehicles had to move carefully just to reach the scene of the accident.
According to the responding operator, “Got to MM 270 and hit heavy traffic for 1 mile. Had to ride shoulder and coordinate with traffic to get to the front. I had to drive through deep sections of snow on the shoulder, and needed to be careful not to get stuck.”
Once we arrived, Team Pro-Tow worked directly with Washington State Patrol and the Department of Transportation to assess the situation and determine the safest recovery plan. The tractor-trailer FleetEasy was responsible for could not be moved immediately because it was blocked by the jackknifed truck involved in the collision.
Assisting With Recovery to Clear the Scene Safely
Once clearance was given, Pro-Tow assisted another tow operator in recovering the jackknifed semi so we could get to the blocked tractor-trailer. After we got that combo out of the way, we could focus on our customer’s unit, which was pulled forward and prepared for transport. After that, hooking up the damaged tractor-trailer was pretty straightforward.
The tractor and trailer were then towed slowly to Exit 264, where the roadway was safer and more open for further work. From there, the tractor was separated from the trailer, the driveline was removed, and the unit was prepared for transport to our secured yard.
Snow Laden Storage Yard
Our semi-truck accident response in Spokane often doesn’t end once a truck is off the highway. We still have work to do to ensure it’s parked and stored safely and securely. In this case, deep snow at the storage yard created another challenge. Our operator couldn’t get the casualties through the deep snow, so he did what anyone would do. Get out the plow!
Once a spot was plowed for the tractor and trailer, we moved it with a skid steer and parked it in a safe place.
FleetEasy also ensured the driver was taken care of, arranging transportation to a hotel once the equipment was secured. We are a people-first company, and ensuring everyone’s safety is part of fleet incident response.
Count on FleetEasy for Semi-Truck Accident Response
If one of your drivers and vehicles has been in an accident, you need coordination and a single point of contact with an experienced and trusted partner like FleetEasy. Our job is to ensure you have the fleet services needed, like semi-truck recovery and towing services.
Winter conditions on I-90 near Spokane are unpredictable, but your response does not have to be. With FleetEasy, fleets have access to experienced and empathetic dispatchers, professional recovery operators, and a coordinated approach that prioritizes safety, compliance, and efficiency. We’ll be there for you from the first call to the last.