One hurt in box truck crash Thursday

A box truck is on its side after crashing on westbound Interstate 70 Thursday morning. The driver was transported with head and shoulder injuries.

Courtesy Cloverdale Township Volunteer Fire Department

PUTNAMVILLE — A Georgia man was injured in a crash involving a box truck on Interstate 70 near the Putnamville exit Thursday morning.

First responders were dispatched to the 33-mile marker at about 6:20 a.m. for a rollover in which the vehicle, a 2022 International, had gone over the guardrail and into the embankment.

Both the Cloverdale Township and Reelsville volunteer fire departments, as well as the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Indiana State Police and Putnam County EMS, were at the scene.

It was determined that José Pereira III, 58, was traveling westbound when he went over the centerline. He then overcorrected and then went into the embankment.

Pereira was trapped inside the cab and was extricated within 20 minutes after firefighters’ arrival. Cloverdale Township Fire Chief Kerry Shepherd said the top of the cab had to be opened and spread for an opening.

Though conscious and alert, Shepherd said Pereira suffered head and shoulder injuries and was transported by PCEMS to Union Hospital in Terre Haute.

The truck was registered to Penske Truck Leasing.

It is unclear what specifically led Pereira to cross the roadway and then crash. However, ISP Sgt. Matt Ames said that drugs and alcohol are not a factor in the incident.

With the roadway down to one lane during the operation, Curtis Wrecker was called to pick up the truck. As such, the scene was completely cleared by 8 a.m.

The investigating officer was 1st Sgt. Matthew Mischler.