Coil bursts out of trailer on I-70 pushing dolly out to spark fire

ISP photo

ISP photo

By Lucy Perry 
Indiana Central News

Officials say a semi truck driver slamming on his brakes this evening on Interstate 70 in Vigo County caused the heavy coil of wire he was hauling to burst out of the trailer, shutting down right lane traffic for more than an hour.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Joe Watts said the subsequent load shift resulted in the right front dolly of the trailer to strike the ground, spark, and cause a small fire at the 8-mile-marker.

Anatolijus Diatolvas, 60, of Westmont, Ill., was moving toward slow eastbound traffic at construction area of a bridge, when he abruptly applied his brakes, causing seven coils of wire  ---- each weighing 7,500 pounds ---- to break free and slide to the front of the trailer, Watts explained.

"A passerby, Larry Lambert, [of a local towing company,] ran to the semi as troopers were arriving and extinguished the small fire," Watts said, noting no injuries were reported.


The trailer and load were secured before the shipment can continue, as the semi reportedly was placed out of service for insecure load.