CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA — A tractor-trailer traveling southbound on Interstate 77 went over a concrete barrier and plunged into a parking lot on Summers Street in downtown Charleston early Wednesday morning after the load shifted mid-turn, ejecting the driver and trapping a passenger inside who had to be cut out by firefighters. Both are in critical condition.
Charleston Police said the crash occurred just before 5:47 a.m. near the Leon Sullivan Way exit at mile marker 100. The truck was in the middle lane heading south when the driver began negotiating a turn and the load shifted, causing loss of control. The tractor-trailer crossed the concrete barrier and fell to the parking lot at the dead end of Summers Street below. The crash also tore down power lines and caused a fuel leak from the vehicle. AEP reported approximately 250 power outages in the area between Washington Street and the interstate.
The driver was ejected during the fall. The passenger was entrapped inside the cab and had to be extricated by Charleston Fire Department crews. Both were transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. Their identities have not been released.
All lanes of I-77 southbound and I-64 eastbound were reopened at 8:05 a.m. after backing up traffic for several miles during the morning commute.
CPD’s Crash Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate.
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