Semi driver attributes accident to talking on phone

BONNERS FERRY — Tony Garcia was mowing his yard by the intersection of Highway 95 and Trail Creek Road when he heard the sound of an accident on the highway above him.

“I looked up and saw a drive line flying through the air,” he said. “I was afraid it was going to hit me!”

Moments later a 2007 Peterbuilt driven by Rupinder Dhillon of Surrey, British Columbia crashed through the guardrail on the east side of Highway 95 and plunged into the clearing below. A load of C channel steel on Dhillon’s flatbed came forward, tearing the sleeper and cab from the chassis of the Peterbuilt.

“It’s amazing that guy survived,” said Garcia.

Dhillon was southbound about 10 a.m. on Friday, May 23 and was talking on a cellphone. became distracted, crossed the center line and struck a northbound pickup, according to ISP. Dhillon’s semi then lost a tire and went through the guardrail, rolling sideways before it came to a rest at the bottom of the embankment. Dhillonhad minor injuries but was cited for reckless driving.

The flying driveline belonged to a 2001 Dodge pickup driven by Justin Chenoweth of Trout Creek, Mon. Chenoweth was driving to Bonners Ferry to pick up oat seed for passenger Donna Platt.

“We wanted to plant during the long Memorial Day weekend,” Platt said. “Now that’s not going to happen. We are just thankful everyone is safe.”

The Dodge spun after the semi clipped it in the rear, coming to a rest with the tailgate in the west guardrail.

“I thought we were going to roll,” said Chenoweth, shaking his head as he surveyed the damage. “I should have just stayed home today.”

South Boundary Fire Department Chief Tony Rohrwasser, this is the third accident on the same stretch of road outside Naples in the last two months.