Gary, Lake County-A semi rolling-over, this morning, caused the contents of its trailer to begin smoldering.

Master Trooper Lionel Douglas responded to a crash, this Thursday, February 14th morning, on the I-80 east bound to I-65 south bound ramp. Preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 8:15 a.m., a 2001 Freightliner hauling a rail container, driven by Harry Boone, 46 of Harvey, Illinois, was in the right lane of the ramp when he went to change lanes to go into the left. Boone was going too fast to negotiate the curve, lost control and began to roll-over onto its side. The semi and rail container slid against the concrete barrier wall for approximately 600 feet. This friction caused the contents of the container, approximately 40,000 pounds of plywood, to begin to smoke and smolder. Gary Fire Department sprayed the contents inside the container down to put out any potential fire.

The semi, owned by 4K Cartage Incorporated out of Highland, Indiana sustained heavy damage. Boone had to be extricated from the semi and was taken to South Lake Methodist Hospital in Merrillville for non-life threatening injuries. He was cited for Speed Too Fast to Avoid a Collision.

The ramp from I-80 east bound to I-65 south bound was closed for over an hour for removal of the driver and up-righting of the semi and trailer.

Assisting: Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division Trooper Tim Grayson, Gary Fire and EMS, and Indiana Department of Transportation Hoosier Helpers