A timber truck caused disarray on I-575 in Cherokee County on Monday, spilling an unknown number of logs off an overpass and temporarily shutting down the interstate in both directions.
The tractor-trailer was hauling the logs above the interstate on Lower Bethany Road when it overturned about 12:45 p.m., Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds said.
A black Honda Fit was struck by one of the fallen logs, according to fire department spokesman Tim Cavender. The man driving the car and two women who were riding with him were taken to Northside Cherokee Hospital with minor injuries.
“Firefighters also reported that the truck was on fire when they arrived on scene, but were able to put it out very quickly,” Cavender said.
The driver of the truck appeared to be OK, he said.
A tree removal service helped emergency personnel clear the lumber from the roadways.
“Logs were still hanging over the side of the northbound lanes as emergency workers continued to get the truck up righted and the trees safely removed from the bridge,” Cavender said.
The southbound lane of I-575 was reopened about 1:45 p.m., and the northbound lane reopened about an hour later.
Credit: Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services
Credit: Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services
No other injuries were reported. The cause is still being investigated.
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