Roachdale man escapes serious injury when dump truck blows tire

Steven Hansen, of Roachdale, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 40 when the left front tire blew, causing the truck to roll over and slide into the westbound lane. (Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police)

Roachdale man escapes serious injury when dump truck blows tire

MOUNT MERIDIAN -- Indiana State Police and Putnam County emergency agencies responded to the westbound lanes of U.S. 40 near County Road 850 East at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday for a single-vehicle rollover crash, State Police at Putnamville.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2006 Mack quad-axle dump truck, driven by 56-year-old Steven R. Hansen of Roachdale, was eastbound on U.S. 40 and experienced a blown left front tire.

The trooper working the scene stated the driver would have sustained serious injury had he not been wearing a seatbelt. (Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police)

The Bowling Trucking dump truck then veered into the median, rolled over and slid into the westbound lanes.

The truck was loaded with approximately 20,000 pounds of gravel.

Following the crash, both westbound lanes o f U.S. 40 were blocked.

Hansen sustained minor injuries in the crash, but refused treatment at the scene.

He was subsequently taken to Hendricks Regional Health by his employer and spent Wednesday night there.

A family member reported that Hansen got home on Thursday.

According to investigating officer ISP Sgt. Cory Robinson, "Hansen most likely would have sustained substantial injuries had he not been wearing a seatbelt."

The Indiana Department of Transportation rerouted all traffic into the eastbound lanes during the crash investigation and clean-up. All lanes were open and clear by 1 p.m.

Assisting at the accident scene were ISP Master Trooper DuJuan Presley-McFadden, Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Fillmore Fire Department, Putnam County Operation Life, Indiana Department of Transportation and Curtis Wrecker Service.