Asparagus cart comes loose from trailer, hits oncoming truck

Asparagus cart comes loose from trailer, hits oncoming truck

HART TOWNSHIP — An asparagus cart came loose from a trailer as it was being hauled down West Tyler Road near 104th Avenue in a pickup truck and hit an oncoming Great Lakes Energy truck Wednesday, May 10, around 3 p.m., according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast. 

“An asparagus picking cart had its wings folded up with only one bolt holding them in the upright position,” said Sheriff Mast. “That bolt ended up breaking, which allowed the wing to fall down and hit the oncoming truck which caused extensive damage. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but picking carts must be bolted and strapped with a ratchet strap of some sort to avoid this accident.”

The 2017 Silverado pickup truck owned by Oomen Farms was westbound on Tyler Road, and as it crested the hill, the wing on the driver’s side of the asparagus cart came loose and fell towards the center of the road, states the accident report. At the same time, the 2021 Ram 5500 Great Lakes Energy truck crested the hill eastbound.

“The wing to the asparagus cart fell onto the hood, A pilar and windshield of vehicle #2,” states the report. “The asparagus cart was only strapped with a single chain and no safety features for the wings.”

The farm truck was driven by a 57-year-old Hart man, and the Great Lakes Energy truck was driven by a 45-year-old Shelby man.

• Oceana County Sheriff’s Office photos

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