Traffic was stalled on Highway 88 after a semi truck careened through the guardrail and off a precipice about four miles west of Woodfords, at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The driver, who sustained serious injuries, was taken by Care Flight to Washoe Medical Center and vehicles were stopped for the helicopter, which had to land on the highway.
No other vehicles were involved and no other injuries were reported, according to Alpine County Undersheriff Robert Levy.
A substantial diesel fuel leak was reported, according to Tom Mezzetta, spokesman for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
The flatbed truck took out one pine tree before rolling down the hillside, which was strewn with heavy boulders. It was braced on its side against a pine tree and gardening supplies, including bark and compost, were piled on the precipice.
The mangled cab pointed toward the sky and just below, the West Fork of the Carson River tumbled toward the Carson Valley.
The Alpine County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol, United States Forest Service and East Fork Fire and Paramedic Districts all responded to the incident, which is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.
