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SMITHFIELD – A tractor trailer driver lost control of his truck and loaded flatbed trailer on US 70 near Smithfield, Friday afternoon.
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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.
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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.
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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.