Tuesday Evening around 6:20, Indiana State Police responded to a cargo shift incident in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the eight mile marker. The event caused the right lane to be closed for nearly one and one-half hours.
Preliminary investigation revealed an eastbound tractor-trailer, driven by 60-year-old Anatolijus Diatolvas of Westmont, IL, was fast approaching eastbound traffic that was moving slowing through a bridge construction area. Diatolvas abruptly applied his brakes, causing seven coils of wire to break free and slide to the front of the trailer. Two of the coils broke through the side. The subsequent load shift caused the right front dolly of the trailer to strike the ground, spark, and cause a small fire, as the truck attempted to slow on the shoulder. A passerby, Larry Lambert of Lambert’s Towing and Recovery, ran to the semi as troopers were arriving and extinguished the small fire. No injuries were reported during this incident.
The investigation was conducted by ISP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Master Trooper Kent Winstead. Assisting were ISP Detective Angie Hahn and Lambert’s Towing and Recovery. Terre Haute Fire/Rescue was initially called but given a disregard.
The tractor-trailer was operating as ES Express Lines of Lemont, IL. There were seven coils on the trailer, each weighing 7500 pounds. After the incident, the semi was placed out of service for insecure load. The trailer and load will have to be secured before the shipment can continue.
