Beartooth Pass Accident

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By Stephanie Domurat

Story Published: Jul 16, 2009 at 6:33 PM MST

Story Updated: Jul 17, 2009 at 5:30 AM MST

BILLINGS - A driver of a semi truck in route from Helena to Kansas City had a life-threatening experience Thursday morning on the Beartooth Pass.

"I am just so happy to be alive!" says Stephanie Schweitzer. The professional truck driver was making one of her regular trips cross country, this time transporting lumber from Helena to Kansas City. But as she made route up Beartooth Pass around 1:00 a.m. Thursday morning, things didn't go as planned.

"I'm coming up the mountain and the first U-turn I start getting an achey feeling in my stomach. Then, when I went around the corner I actually cut it a little tight," she says.

It was at mile marker 52, on highway 212, where her back tires got stuck on the guardrail. Then, bringing her trailer to slowly fall over the edge of the road and down the side of the mountain.

"I wanted to cry, I thought I was going to die, to be honest with you." Schweitzer and her boyfriend, who was with her in the truck, cut the wood loose from the trailer, which then allowed them to drive the truck back onto the road.

There were no injuries, but more than 30,000 pounds of lumber fell over the guardrail and down the mountain. Officials say it's common for trucks to have trouble navigating the sharp turns on the pass and encourage large trucks to avoid it. But, Schweitzer says she didn't see signs warning her not to take the pass, and says she would have avoided the route altogether if she did.

Hansers Wrecking Company was out cleaning up the lumber. Transportation officials are laying down a new guardrail Friday night. The pass will be closed Thursday from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. Friday, for the repairs.

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debbie said on Sunday, Jul 19 at 8:51 PM

wow somebody got lost big time if she went over the pass when trucks arent suppose to even close to that

Andy said on Saturday, Jul 18 at 9:49 PM

Another point of evidence proving once again that the term "common sense" is an oxymoron!

OTR Driver said on Saturday, Jul 18 at 9:22 PM

If she would of planned her trip using her Motor Carriers Atlas, she would have seen that her route on US 212 thru Wyoming is restricted to trucks from the Montana line to Yellowstone Park. Not a good career move!!!.

bundy said on Saturday, Jul 18 at 7:29 AM

moron...

a Montana semi driver said on Friday, Jul 17 at 9:21 PM

I don't understand what she was doing anywhere near the pass to begin with. I would hope a professional driver would know their route and know NOT to try to take the Beartooth Pass. That roadway is hazardous in a car let alone a semi with a 53 foot trailer.

Negav Kalanaga said on Friday, Jul 17 at 7:06 PM

That's what I was wondering. We've driven from Kentucky to Washington numerous times, including going through Kansas City, and I can't imagine going over the Beartooth Highway if I was in a hurry. Bozeman Pass is a lot easier!

Seen it later said on Friday, Jul 17 at 1:10 PM

A professional truck driver would know to avoid the Beartooth Highway at all cost. How is the Pass en route between Helena and Kansas City?

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