Semi Leaves Roadway, Causes Damage to Building in Grand Coulee Area

State Patrol responded to reports of a semi truck that had hit a building just after noon Thursday in the Grand Coulee Dam area.

Trooper John Bryant said that the semi was traveling down State Route 174 when it left the roadway. While it was initially thought the semi had struck a pizza restaurant, the semi had actually struck a vehicle that was parked in front of the building, sending the parked car into the structure and starting a fire.

The semi also lost its load of apples before flipping over into a ravine, spilling some diesel fuel. The driver was extricated from the vehicle and taken via Life Flight to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. The driver suffered what's being called "severe chest and shoulder injuries", although his or her condition is unknown.

State Route 174 was briefly shut down in both directions near the intersection with SR 155.

The cause is under investigation.