Big Rig Slams Into Tractor Dealership

Wednesday, May 30th 2007, 10:23 am

By: News On 6

A Green Country tractor dealership is cleaning up after a big rig slammed into the business, damaging a lot of inventory. It happened just off Highway 69 in McAlester, and News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports it was all caught on tape.

Grissom Implement has a great location right off Highway 69 in McAlester. But a few days ago, it wasn't the best spot to be in.

"Looked like a war zone," said Grissom Implement manager Roy Johnston.

A big rig avoiding a car that lost control on the rain-slickened highway slammed right through the fence around the dealership's tractors.

"You see this truck coming down through here and barreled through our lot," Johnston said.

Video from Grissom Implement's surveillance camera shows the 18-wheeler slamming through the fence and into several tractors.

Johnston says 19 pieces of equipment were damaged or destroyed. Ones that weren't hit directly by the truck were damaged by the flying fence.

Workers are now replacing the fence and the business is working with insurance adjusters. Damage is estimated at more than $150,000.

For Grissom Implement, the accident came at a bad time. This is a big time of year in the tractor business. They now have to wait a while before more equipment will be delivered to sell to customers, but they say at least no one was injured or killed.

The accident happened on Memorial Day, when the dealership was closed. Johnston says on any normal business day, the lot would have been filled with customers.

"I'm just glad nobody was standing out here when it happened,â€ said Johnston. â€œThere's no way you could have got out of the way."

Watch the video:

Semi Swerves To Miss Car And Hits Tractor Dealership

WEB EXTRA: Surveillance Video Of Semi Crashing Into Tractor Dealership