Ramp from I-70 E to I-75 N reopens 5 hours after semitrailer crash; driver cited

UPDATE @ 10:05 p.m.: The ramp from I-70 East to I-75 North reopened just before 10 p.m., a state patrol dispatcher said.

UPDATE @ 6:50 p.m.:

In what state patrol Sgt. Frank Simmons Jr. said was an all too common accident, a semi driver failed to negotiate the curve on the ramp from I-70 East to I-75 North in Butler Twp., ran off the left side, hit the retaining wall and turned the rig onto its side.

"He was traveling too fast for the curviture of the roadway," the sergeant said.

The driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries, was taken to a hospital and cited for failure to control, Simmons said.

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ODOT has put up additional warning signs and flashing lights to get semi drivers to slow down, he said.

The ramp is "not built, especially for a vehicle that heavy with cargo. The weight's going to shift, the momentum's gonna take 'em and put em on their side," the sergeant said.

The driver, whose name and age and hometown have not been released, was negligent in that aspect, Simmons said.

The trailer's payload of energy drinks and/or soda pop spilled onto the ground, he said. The cab's left gas tank ruptured, which sent diesel fuel spilling. ODOT and fire crews from Butler Twp. and Huber Heights contained and mopped up the spill.

The ramp will be closed at least another hour or until heavy wreckers can right the rig and clear the accident scene, Simmons said.

INITIAL REPORT

The I-70 East ramp to I-75 North in Butler Twp. is closed until further notice because of an overturned semitrailer, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The driver was trapped in the vehicle, but is now free and has been taken to a hospital.

The extent of the driver’s injuries is unknown.

The tractor-trailer was hauling energy drinks, which spilled onto the ramp along with fuel.

While the incident is only affecting traffic on the ramp, motorists are advised to avoid the area.

No other vehicles were involved.

We’ll continue to update this story as more information becomes available.