A large semi-rig turned onto its side at 1:17 p.m. Monday as it made a sweeping turn from southbound Highway 99 to eastbound Yosemite Avenue beneath the Highway 99 overpass.

Manteca Police said  the driver  told officers at the scene that he had made a complete stop before beginning his turn at an estimated 10 miles an hour.  Officers speculated he was traveling at a somewhat  greater speed when the load of tin can lids shifted throwing the vehicle off balance. The truck had reportedly been heading toward an area cannery.

Police said when the first units arrived on the scene under the freeway, the 51-year-old driver, Tarkish Singh, of Modesto had already crawled out of the cab through the broken out front windshield opening.  The vehicle was still running and in gear and the rear wheels were still spinning.  The driver was unhurt in the crash, officers said.

Singh told officers that a car in the inside lane to his left actually caused the accident but police discounted that claim relating it to his speed.  The vehicle is owned by Gina Logistics Corp. of Woodale, Ill.

Caltrans took over the crash site  and blocked off traffic to allow a work crew from the trucking firm,  aided by workers from Labor Ready in Manteca,  to empty the trailer of its contents.  All exiting southbound traffic from Highway 99 could only travel westbound on Yosemite Avenue for some four hours until the truck was uprighted and cleared from the eastbound traffic lanes.



To contact Glenn Kahl email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.