18-wheeler loses control of load, hits 2 cars; driver charged

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - A nasty wreck on Monday afternoon left building supplies scattered across the two-lane ramp near the I-10/ I-110 merge. Police say an 18-wheeler carrying plywood lost control of its load sending the giant slabs of wood into two vehicles.

“We’re blessed to say there were some good Samaritans who were able to help the driver out the car,” said Sgt. L’Jean Mckneely with Baton Rouge Police Department.

Driving past the crash, you can see the windows shattered, the roof caved in, and the body crunched. The other car involved did not have quite the same damage but likely a costly repair all the same. Even the big rig had noticeable damage as it was towed away. Police ask you to be mindful when you’re hauling heavy loads.

“As you make that turn, that load can shift which it has before. We’ve had crashes like this that have occurred to where when they’re coming around the load that they’re carrying can actually shift on the trailer causing it to become unbalanced and from there that load, as happened today, fell over,” Sgt. Mckneely continued.

Wrecks like these rarely spare lives. At least four people from the two cars were taken to a nearby hospital, but Mike Chutz with EMS says everyone will be okay.

“All of them sustained non-life-threatening injuries. So, they’re very lucky because the truck was hauling plywood from what I’m told and that’s very heavy. And had it hit just right it could have been much more severe,” said Chutz.

According to BRPD, the driver of the 18-wheeler, 34-year-old Sergio Suarez-Hernandez, has been charged with disregard for controls and careless driving.

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