Carb Day coincidence yields mashed potatoes

BRAZIL -- While it was Carb Day Friday at Indianapolis, potatoes are what made headlines in west-central Indiana.

Just before 2 a.m. Friday, a westbound semi-trailer hauling a load of potatoes overturned along Interstate 70 between the Putnamville and Brazil exits.

Semi driver James R. Johnson, 71, Dade City, Fla., told Indiana State Police troopers from the Putnamville Post that he swerved to miss an obstruction in the roadway. That caused the load to shift and the semi to overturn near the 25-mile marker west of the Putnam-Clay county line.

Johnson was reportedly driving for L & L Trucking Co., Labelle, Fla. No injuries were reported.

One unconfirmed report indicated 78,000 pounds of potatoes were involved in the mishap.

The accident initially closed down both westbound lanes of the interstate after the 1:56 a.m. incident.

Officials were able to get the left lane open by mid-morning on a busy holiday weekend travel day in which thousands attend the annual Carb Day events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

State Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Joe Watts said the Indiana Department of Transportation assisted the ISP with lane closures, which lasted several hours.