A big rig flipped off a Bucks County highway this morning causing a backup for hours and state police say it was all caused when an intoxicated driver pulled over to the side of the road.
A tractor-trailer collided with a stopped minivan along the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 just past the Woodhaven Road (Route 63) Exit in Bensalem Township, Pa. around 4:15 a.m. Wednesday.
Brandon Ballard was behind the wheel of the tractor-trailer, according to Pennsylvania State Police. As Ballard approached mile-marker 33.4 he took evasive actions to avoid striking Nicholas Harris' Honda Odyssey, which was stopped partially in the right lane of the highway.
The big rig sideswiped the minivan before jackknifing and rolling over into the embankment, according to police.
The UPS big rig wound up overturned down an embankment, trapping Ballard, according to the responding Newportville Fire Company.
Only one lane could squeeze by as crews worked to free the 32-year-old driver, said firefighters.
Ballard suffered major injuries while Harris suffered moderate injuries, according to police.
The big rig's load poured onto the embankment as dozens of cardboard boxes spilled from the top of the trailer.
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An investigation into the crash led to Harris being arrested for suspected DUI.
Police eventually closed the roadway entirely forcing traffic off at Woodhaven (Exit 35). For alternate routes, NBC10 traffic reporter Jillian Mele suggested using Woodhaven Road to get to Academy Road and then taking academy back to I-95 or to jump onto Street Road and take that to Roue 13, which runs into Academy.
The ramp from eastbound Woodhaven onto I-95 was also closed.
PennDOT warned motorists that the closures could last until 1 p.m. but the two lanes were opened around 9 a.m. Delays remained because one lane remained blocked.
