ROCK ISLAND, WASHINGTON — A Kennewick semi-truck driver was believed to be distracted when his truck crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a trailer hauling apples Wednesday afternoon on Highway 28 near Rock Island Dam, spilling fruit across the roadway for about 300 yards and shutting the road down for hours, authorities said.

The Washington State Patrol reported that Mark A. Kinney, 42, was driving westbound on Highway 28 in a semi-truck and trailer at about 2:00 p.m. Wednesday. Authorities said he was approaching Rock Island on the rural two-lane highway in Douglas County when he crossed into the oncoming lane.

Kinney’s semi collided with a trailer hauling apples, and the impact knocked the trailer and cab onto their side, Trooper Jeremy Weber told the Tri-City Herald. The collision spilled the apple cargo across the road, and officials said the scene stretched for about 300 yards, which was described as the length of three football fields.

Authorities said Kinney’s semi was totaled, and he was treated at a local hospital. The other driver, Dakota C. Scott, 33, of Warden, was not hurt.

The road was shut down for eight hours while investigators worked, Weber said. The closure forced drivers to backtrack nearly 20 miles to Quincy, according to the report.

Investigators said they are still working to determine why Kinney became distracted, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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