ARCHER LODGE – Cleanup crews had their hands full Tuesday evening after a fully loaded garbage truck overturned on Medlin Road, between Riverwood and Archer Lodge.
The driver of the large truck reported that he had done all he could do to avoid overturning the loaded trash hauler.
A heavy downpour had left the asphalt covered with rainwater and the road’s freshly repaired shoulders extremely muddy.
As the truck rounded a curve facing blinding headlights of oncoming traffic, the driver reported moving as far to the right as possible before his right front wheel slipped off the pavement and into the soft mud.
Despite the driver’s efforts, the heavy truck with its load of commercial waste went down an embankment before overturning, spilling some of the trash.
Several large wreckers and more than two hours of work were required to recover the truck. Medlin Road was completely shut down.
The driver suffered minor injuries and was cited by the North Carolina Highway Patrol for failing to maintain lane control.
