Chelan County Sheriff(CCSD) - Sheriff Mike Harum reports on June 30, 2008 at 10:00 AM Deputies responded to a report of a one Semi-Truck collision on Squilchuck Road near mile post 2, just above Pitcher Canyon Road.  Reports were received by Rivercom that it was a fuel tanker however, upon arrival it was determined to be a Dump Truck pulling a Dump Trailer loaded with dirt and rocks.  The Wenatchee Fire Department, Douglas County Fire Department district2, and Chelan County Fire District #1 also responded as the truck had caught fire during the collision.

Initial investigations show the truck was south on Squilchuck Rd when it failed to negotiate a curve to the left.  The truck left the roadway, first striking a Chelan County PUD Power pole, and then rolled into a Pear Orchard.  The cab of the truck came to rest upside down with the driver still inside.  Witnesses stated the driver, Dale Cotter 50 years old from East Wenatchee, was able to climb out of the truck before fire engulfed the entire cab.  Cotter had minor injuries.  The truck is owned by Evans Development and is working in the area on a private contract job.

As the result of the collision, power, phone, and cable TV were cut, leaving the power pole and wires strung across Squilchuck Rd. The power outage affected all of upper Squilchuck and Wenatchee Heights.  PUD Crews along with Cable/TV responded and repaired the downed lines.  Traffic was stopped in all directions for nearly 4 hours while crews fixed the damage.

Deputies are still investigating the cause of the collision however, alcohol was not a factor.