Semi loses control, takes out two guardrails, ends up hanging off highway

A southbound semi tractor-trailer rig lost control, crossed the median, smashed through a guardrail, traveled across the northbound lanes, smashed through another guardrail, and left the roadway, ending up in a small wooded area downhill from Highway 75.

It happened late Wednesday morning just south of the junction with Highway 11.

Police say excessive speed and poor driving conditions contributed to the crash.

The wreck kept northbound traffic down to one lane on Highway 75 while crews worked to clean up the debris and extricate the truck.

Remarkably, officers told KRMG, no other vehicles were involved, and the driver of the semi was not injured.

The truck hit the guardrail on the northbound side of the highway so hard it broke the asphalt into which the guardrail posts were sunk.

The diesel tanks were leaking fuel after the wreck, complicating the scene as firefighters from Hazmat had to stabilize the situation before crews from Storey Wrecker could begin the process of moving the truck.

The investigating officer told KRMG the driver will likely be cited for the wreck.