A tractor-trailer hauling lumber overturned on northbound I-55 at Festus this morning (Oct. 8), stopping traffic for a half hour and slowing it for another hour, authorities reported.
Cpl. Juston Wheetley of the Missouri State Highway Patrol said the single-vehicle accident occurred shortly before 11 a.m.
“There was construction work slowing traffic and when the tractor-trailer driver approached the slowed traffic, he abruptly steered to the left and the tractor-trailer overturned on the highway near Hwy. A,” Wheetley said. “The entire northbound lanes were shut down for a half hour. Then, one lane was open for another hour.”
Wheetley said no injuries were reported. He said he did not know the make and model of the tractor-trailer and did not have any information available on the driver.
Festus Police Chief Tim Lewis said the accident led to a long line of vehicles caught in a traffic snarl on northbound I-55 until the tractor-trailer was cleared from the roadway.