Patrol continues probe of I-80 truck accident

Staff report

HUBBARD

The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the tractor-trailer accident on Interstate 80 Wednesday morning that spilled hazardous chemicals and snarled traffic.

Lt. Brian Holt, commander of the Southington Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said no charges have been filed against Robert E. Weirick of Academy Drive in Liberty Township, the driver of the truck.

Weirick told troopers he hit the bridge over Mount Everett Road just west of state Route 62 as a result of having to swerve to avoid a vehicle that “cut him off,” Holt said.

“We’re still looking into that,” Holt said, adding that it will be a couple of days before investigators determine whether any charges or citations against Weirick are warranted.

After Weirick’s rig hit the bridge, the second of two trailers he was pulling lifted and eventually went over the side of the bridge, crashing to the ground.

Another trailer remained stuck on the bridge railing near the tractor. Both trailers and the tractor became engulfed in flames. The westbound lanes were closed. One of the westbound lanes reopened Wednesday evening, and the other westbound lane reopened at about 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The eastbound lane of I-80 was closed for about 90 minutes after the 4:42 a.m. accident.