Tractor-trailer dangles from overpass in Washington County

SOUTH STRABANE, Pa. (KDKA) — A tractor-trailer was dangling from an overpass in Washington County on Wednesday. 

Dispatchers said the crash happened where I-79 meets the I-70 East/West split at South Junction around 3:45 p.m. In a release, state police said the tractor-trailer driver was traveling north when they hit the cement barrier and overturned on a left curve. 

Officials said the driver escaped from the vehicle and was treated for minor injuries.

The westbound off ramp from I-70 to I-79 South and the ramp from I-79 North to I-70 West were closed but have since reopened, PennDOT said.  

PennDOT added that based on its preliminary investigation, engineers found no serious damage to the road and it has been deemed safe to drive on.  

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A pile of cardboard boxes could be seen spilled onto the ramp down below. As crews were trying to pull the tractor-trailer over the edge of the overpass, part of it sheared off and also fell below.  

McAdoo's Towing & Crane Service handled the removal. The owner, Scott McAdoo, said he had nine workers and three trucks working at the scene.

McAdoo believes the only thing that kept the vehicle from falling off the side of the bridge was that the trailer spilled about 70 percent of the load it was carrying.

State police said the driver was cited for "driving on roadways landed for traffic." Law enforcement is investigating the crash.