Commercial vehicle erupts in fiery crash

Tuesday, April 28, 2015
An Ohio man escaped with non-life-threatening injuries Monday evening when the tractor-trailer he was driving struck a bridge and erupted into flames. (Courtesy of Indiana State Police)

BRAZIL -- The aftermath of a fatality on Interstate 70 in Clay County led to a second wreck Monday evening, the second resulting in a fiery crash but non-life-threatening injuries to the driver.

At approximately 6:30 p.m., Indiana State Police and Clay County emergency agencies responded to a commercial vehicle crash in the westbound lanes near the 25-mile marker.

Preliminary investigation revealed a westbound 2007 Freightliner, pulling a trailer loaded with batteries, failed to stop for stationary traffic from the earlier crash near the 22-mile marker.

The driver, Rodney Hudlin, age 42, Dayton, Ohio, lost control of his tractor-trailer while attempting to avoid stopped traffic and struck the bridge railing.

The tractor-trailer then caught fire and was subsequently extinguished by members of Posey and Jackson township fire departments.

CARE ambulance transported Hudlin to St. Vincent-Clay Hospital in Brazil for treatment of what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.

The crash was investigated by ISP Trooper David Cox Jr. Assisting were ISP Troopers Jonathan Cumbie, Yan Dravigne, and Ted Robertson, ISP Sergeant Joe Rutledge, Clay County Sheriff's Office, and Curtis Wrecker Service.

INDOT officials were on the scene Monday night determining the damage to the bridge and any safety concerns. The bridge was reopened around 2 a.m. Tuesday.

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  • What is it about semi drivers that they don't notice stopped traffic ahead of them? This happens way too often.

    -- Posted by Ben Dover on Tue, Apr 28, 2015, at 10:09 AM
  • They are probably on their cell phones texting or talking and don't see what is going on ahead of them.

    -- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Tue, Apr 28, 2015, at 4:25 PM
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