Overturned 18-Wheeler Closes I-10

Interstate 10 between Lake Charles and Westlake closed after an 18-wheeler carrying butane overturned. The truck started leaking gas, forcing the closure of the interstate.

Officials say the driver of the big rig was headed west bound into Westlake Tuesday morning. They speculate the driver was taking the exit too fast, and lost control. The truck rolled over onto its side, causing the propane tank to rupture and leak gas onto the interstate. Officials estimate the cleaning process to take anywhere from eight to twelve hours, and they advise anyone planning to travel on the closed portion of I-10 to find an alternate route, such as I-210.

Why did the truck driver flip his truck? These accidents are preventable. The flipping of a truck is usually the result of the negligence in the handling of the truck and the trailer by the driver, operating at an excessive, dangerous, and unreasonable speed under the circumstances in failing to reduce his speed in obedience to the warning signs posted on the on-ramp, and in failing to properly distribute weight on a trailer for highway travel so it would not shift or change its center upon the stress of turning sharp curves.