Tractor trailer crash snarls traffic on Interstate 70 near Bentleyville exit Friday
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
A tractor-trailer crashed just west of the Ginger Hill exit on I-70 Friday afternoon. The crash forced the closing of the highway in both directions of travel. Traffic was backed-up for several hours while the debris was cleared for the roadway.
Crews work to remove the trailer that block both directions of I-70 just west of the Ginger Hill exit Friday afternoon. The highway was closed for several hours cause causing heavy traffic backups throughout the Bentlyville area of Washington County.
Crews work to wright a trailer that was involved in a tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 70, about 11:35a.m. Friday in Somerset Township, Washington County. According to state police the tractor-trailer was traveling east bound when the truck collided with the center jersey barrier, tearing out several sections on the barrier, over turning and coming to rest on the west bond lanes. The tractor-trailer was the only vehicle involved and the driver was reportedly uninjured.
A tractor trailer accident on Interstate 70 closed the interstate eastbound and westbound near the Bentleyville exit for several hours Friday.
The accident occurred when the tractor trailer driver was allegedly driving eastbound on I-70 at 60 mph in an active 45 mph zone and allegedly got distracted while taking a drink of water and lost control of the trailer hitting a total of nine jersey barriers which he then pushed into the westbound lanes, according to state police.
The trailer portion overturned and rode along the right and center jersey barriers then continued to slide in the eastbound lane before coming to a stop.
The closures were between the Ginger Hill and Kammerer exits, rerouting traffic, said state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Valerie Petersen.