CINCINNATI, OHIO — A tractor-trailer cab was left dangling off the Martin Luther King Drive overpass above Interstate 71 in Cincinnati’s Avondale neighborhood Sunday evening after the driver’s brakes failed completely at the top of the exit ramp, sending the rig crashing through the concrete barrier and over the edge. Both occupants were rescued with safety harnesses and survived with minor injuries while 200 gallons of diesel fuel ruptured from the tanks and spilled down onto the roadway below and into storm drains.
The crash was reported around 5 p.m. on August 30. Cincinnati Fire Department Station 19, located just around the corner in Coryville, arrived first and found the cab hanging over the edge of the overpass above I-71.
The driver told investigators he had been experiencing brake trouble coming southbound — he indicated trouble on the interstate — and took the MLK exit ramp. By the time he reached the top of the ramp, the brakes had failed entirely and the truck went straight through the concrete barrier.
“When he got to the top of the ramp, his brakes failed completely and he went straight through and caused the crash,” said Cincinnati Fire Department Assistant Chief Matt Flagler.
The Rescue
There were two people in the cab — an adult male and an adult female. Firefighters secured the vehicle and fitted both occupants with harnesses to safely extract them from the dangling cab. Both sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital. No first responders were injured.
The Fuel Spill
The trailer was empty and contained no hazardous materials. However, the truck was carrying approximately 200 gallons of diesel fuel in its tanks. Both tanks ruptured in the collision, and the fuel leaked down onto the exit ramp below. Some of the diesel also got into nearby storm drains, requiring Metropolitan Sewer District to respond and assess the situation alongside firefighters handling the hazmat cleanup.
“It’s causing quite a bit of hazardous materials work for our firefighters right now,” Flagler said.
Road Closures
Multiple roads were shut down during the response. Closures included the ramp from southbound I-71 to MLK Drive, the ramp from MLK Drive to southbound I-71, all of Martin Luther King Drive between Gilbert and Reading, Fredonia Avenue below the overpass, and at least one additional surface street below while recovery operations were underway.
Bridge and Cleanup
ODOT sent a bridge inspector to assess the structure and ensure it was safe. A wrecker successfully removed the semi. Flagler estimated cleanup would take several hours given the volume of diesel fuel that had to be cleared and the complexity of safely recovering the rig from the overpass. All roadways were reopened by Monday morning, August 31, after ODOT completed its inspection.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Interviews courtesy of Cincinnati Fire Department.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
