The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports the driver of a semi tractor-trailer was transported by private vehicle to a hospital, Tuesday, following an accident about 2 1/2 miles southeast of Essex. The incident occurred at around 12:54 PM in the 1500 block of 170th Street, where the tractor and trailer were in a ditch, with grain spilling out of the trailer.

Photo courtesy the Page County Sheriff’s Office

An investigation determined the driver, 63-year-old Brian Ray Walker, of rural Essex, was operating a 2006 Freightliner Semi tractor pulling a grain trailer loaded with corn, westbound on 170th. Walker stated that he glanced down at his phone that was between the seats of the Semi tractor and looked up. The passenger side steer tire on the semi tractor dropped off the lip of the road and the vehicle started into the north ditch. The vehicle continued into the ditch headed westbound. The vehicle then rolled one time before coming to rest on its wheels. Walker exited the cab of the semi by his own means.

The Semi tractor and trailer are owned by Class Farms INC. of rural Essex.  Damage to the semi tractor / trailer is estimated at over $50,000. No citations were issued.