Semi driver survives 30-foot drop after crash on I-75 in Moraine

MORAINE — A semi-truck driver survived a crash that caused him to drive over an overpass on Interstate 75 North and drop 30 feet onto railroad tracks near Springboro Pike in Moraine Thursday night.

>>UPDATE: 2 teens, 2 children killed in fiery crash on I-70 in Wayne Co., Indiana; Preble Co. man arrested

The interstate was partially shut down for several hours in the area of North Springboro Pike (state Route 741) and Sandridge Drive while officers investigated the wreck, which was reported just before 9 p.m.

A car was reportedly speeding when it lost control and drove underneath the semi-truck, causing the driver of the semi to lose control, said Sergeant Chris Selby.

The semitrailer broke through a section of guardrail and the cab continued down a hill toward railroad tracks, causing the driver to plunge 30 feet below I-75 while the trailer teetered the edge of the overpass.

“It sounded like a plane crash,” said Harold Holdren, who was on his porch, eating a meal, half a mile away when the crash happened. “It’s pretty horrifying to look at.”

The driver of the semi-truck and car were taken to a nearby hospital, but are expected to be okay.

>>Sedan smashes power pole in Huber Heights, knocks out power to hundreds

“It does not look survivable,” Holdren said. “It’s a 30-foot drop.”

The semi-truck driver was wearing a seatbelt, and that saved his life, said Sgt. Selby.

“Seatbelts man, seatbelts save lives,” Selby said. “If either party had not been wearing their seatbelts, this would be a completely different outcome.”

News Center 7 is working to learn if any citations were issued.

Cox Media Group