Semi swerves to avoid deer, ends up in mud off state Route 503 in Preble County

UPDATE @ 8:20 p.m.: A trucker on his way from Lewisburg to Middletown to pick up a load of steel swerved on state Route 503 North to avoid several deer to end up stuck in the mud off the right side of the highway, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.

The semitrailer hit utility poles and trees, and brought down phone and cable lines on its way to its muddy resting place in Preble County between West Alexandria and Lewisburg.

OTHER LOCAL NEWS: 2 men found dead of apparent gunshot wounds

The trucker, who owns the rig, was not injured.

Wreckers are on scene to pull the rig out of the muck. A trooper tells us the state patrol has not decided whether to cite the man on a traffic violation.

The trooper said the road, which has been closed between Pyrmont and Falls roads, will be partially opened while the wreckers work to free the rig.

UPDATE @ 7:54 p.m.:

State Route 503 is closed between Pyrmont Road and Falls Road after a semi turned over in a ditch in Lewisburg.

FIRST REPORT:

A part of State Route 503 is blocked after a semi turned on its side in a ditch, hitting a fence in Preble County Monday around 6:50 p.m..

A phone line is down, according to Preble County Sheriff’s Department.

Fire and medics are on scene but injuries are not known at this time.