News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

WARNING: Driving an overweight truck in Clackamas County can be very expensive

Posted: May 12, 2011, 9:09 a.m.

Photos (provided by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office): [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ]

At approximately 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Deputy Mark Nikolai witnessed a large truck hauling an enormous piece of heavy excavating equipment along a restricted portion of Bakers Ferry Road in Barton.

Deputy Nikolai was surprised to see this large, fully-loaded vehicle operating along this restricted portion of SE Bakers Ferry Road -- which is currently severely unstable due to slide activity.

Also, the Clackamas County Road Department had prominently posted signage announcing a strictly enforced 13-ton weight limit on this portion of Bakers Ferry Road from Barton Park to SE Eaden Road.
 
Deputy Nikolai stopped the overloaded vehicle and summoned Clackamas County Weighmaster Kevin Peterson to the scene.

Peterson arrived and conducted an on-scene investigation. He determined the offending vehicle was standing on the roadway at 172,000 pounds -- 146,000 pounds overweight. (Photos of the overloaded truck are linked above.)

That excessive weight translates into a traffic citation -- in accordance with an Oregon State law -- totaling $44,345.00.

The driver of the offending vehicle is identified as Kenneth Caves, 30, of Prineville, Oregon. The driver is employed by Western Heavy Hauling, with a business address in Prineville.

According to the Clackamas County Weighmaster, "This company [Western Heavy Hauling] was unfortunately attempting to deliver this heavy load of equipment to a specific location in the area by using this prohibited portion of roadway. Had this company contacted our Clackamas County Road Department beforehand, we would have been able to identify and allow access along an alternate, non-restricted route of travel -- enabling the load to be delivered seamlessly."

Kenneth Caves is cited to appear in Clackamas County Justice Court on this matter on July 12, 2011 at 10:30 a.m.

[END]

Contact Info:
Jim Strovink, Detective
Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office