Strong winds in Louisiana caused an empty semi-truck to fall over on its side as a car tried to go by on Interstate 10. A driver approaching from behind recorded the dramatic rollover.
The crash happened at approximately 2:40 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, in the westbound lanes over the Bonnet Carré Spillway. Louisiana State Police placed the overturned truck near mile marker 212.
The truck driver sustained minor injuries but was not taken to a hospital, ALT 92.3 reported. According to the radio station, nobody else driving near the semi-truck was struck or injured.
The overturned truck closed the highway and caused traffic to back up for several miles. Drivers remained delayed for hours while crews cleaned up the mess.
The Trailer Began Leaning Before It Fell
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Jerry Hanna of St. Amant was pulling a trailer when he noticed the semi beginning to lean. Hanna said he was also running low on fuel and believed the weather ahead was becoming worse. Unable to stop safely, he continued driving and recorded what happened.
The footage shows the trailer tilting before a forceful gust pushes the entire rig onto its side. Sparks flash beneath the truck as it slides across the pavement while a car traveling beside it narrowly escapes without being struck.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning Covered the Interstate
At 2:32 p.m., eight minutes before the reported crash time, the National Weather Service updated a severe thunderstorm warning for the area. The warning included I-10 between mile markers 198 and 221.
Radar indicated the storm near LaPlace could produce wind gusts of 70 mph and quarter-size hail. The storm was moving south at 40 mph, which produced the high winds that sent the semi-truck toppling over.
The Highway Reopened About Three Hours Later
The crash shut down westbound I-10 over the spillway. WWL reported that the closure created several miles of delays as crews worked to remove the overturned truck.
Louisiana State Police said the crash site was cleared shortly before 6 p.m. Troop NOLA spokesperson Trooper Danny Berrincha urged drivers to slow down, allow extra time and drive defensively during stormy weather.
Police had not released the truck driver’s name or an additional update on the driver’s condition at the time of posting.