Tractor rolls off U.S. 30; shuts down highway for hours

DELPHOS -- Driver fatigue and inattention were believed to have contributed to a tractor-trailer running off U.S. Route 30 into Bear Creek on Thursday morning.

The fiery crash destroyed the tractor and left the semitrailer and its load of steel beams upside down in the creek. Despite the tractor flipping onto its roof and bursting into flames, the driver managed to escape on his own, according to emergency responders at the scene.

Sgt. Jon Gray of the Lima post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said the report of the crash along U.S. 30 just east of Leatherwood Road came in around 8:48 a.m.

Robert W. Davis, 52, of Fort Wayne, Ind., was traveling east when his 2004 International tractor went off the left side of the road, demolished a guardrail and flipped into the creek, Gray said.

The force of the crash scattered debris through the grass median around the bridge and sent mud and other debris flying across the westbound lanes. Both lanes traveling east were shut down most of the day, Gray said. The left, passing lane will be closed at least through Monday to enable Ohio Department of Transportation crews to replace the guardrail, he said. Both westbound lanes were reopened by late afternoon Thursday.

The tractor also dumped 50 to 70 gallons of diesel fuel into the water. Crews contained the diesel spill to within a 100-foot area where the truck's trailer laid, American Township Fire Chief Tom Hadding said.

There was little left of the tractor. The charred remains still sat smoldering two hours after the crash.

Davis was taken to St. Rita's Medical Center, where he treated, then released.

Drugs and alcohol were not believed to have been contributing factors to the crash, Gray said. Davis was cited for failure to control.