A logging truck accident claimed the life of Meadows of Dan resident Raymond Lee Swanbeck, 71, of Willis Road Thursday morning.
Virginia State Police Trooper Patrick Meade of Salem said that Swanbeck pulled over his 2000 Sterling tractor-trailer truck at a private property on Sal Hooker Hollow Road to make a mechanical repair. As he went to get tools, the truck began to roll.
Swanbeck attempted to stop the truck but the vehicle rolled onto him, Meade continued. Swanbeck was declared dead at the scene.
An employee from Marshall’s Logging who was with Swanbeck called for help. Responding were Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Allen, Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith and Virginia State Police Trooper Chris Brooks, who specializes in Virginia Dept. of Transportation regulation for tractor-trailer trucks.
Trooper Brooks did a post-crash investigation, determining that the truck rolled due to a driver error, Meade said.
A 2000 Sterling is a full-sized tractor trailer truck, and Meade said it was loaded with logs.
-Angela H. Hill
