I know that intersection well. It is tricky even for me, but back then it was more wooded an the stop kind of just came up on you. She most likely blew the stop or pulled out before double checking. The trucker was going downhill on a pretty steep grade and would have no place to go or time to stop. He told the lie about the driver for years. Joe is scum.
I lived in the area at the time and your description is completely accurate.