SMITHFIELD – A tractor trailer driver lost control of his truck and loaded flatbed trailer on US 70 near Smithfield, Friday afternoon.
The truck plowed into a deep ditch as the 38,000 pound load of steel I-Beams slid forward, crushing the cab and narrowly missing the driver.
The driver was able to climb out through the rear window of the truck with the help of a good samaritan who had run to the accident scene.
The steel was bound from Kinston to Greensboro on Friday when the 12:15pm accident happened.
Westbound traffic was heavily congested in the area for hours as the cleanup took place.
