US Route 33 was closed in Ohio on Monday morning when a truck driver died after losing control and driving off of an overpass.
The accident occurred on January 8th at approximately 5:05 a.m. in Athens, Ohio.
According to the Athens News, a semi tanker truck hauling corn syrup was heading west on US Route 33 when it lost control on the icy road, sending the truck sliding off the left side of the road and into a guardrail before going over a concrete bridge wall and landing on Richmond Avenue below, where it went sliding into an embankment.
The truck driver, 56-year-old Jeffery Byrd, was killed in the wreck, but no other injuries have been reported. Officials believe the cold weather made the roads slippery, causing the fatal wreck. According to the Athens Messenger, as of 9:50 a.m., Athens County was in a Level 2 snow emergency.
“The (semi-truck pulling a tanker trailer heading westbound on U.S. Rt. 33) slid off the left side of the road, striking a guardrail and riding up and over a concrete bridge rail. The truck and trailer went over the bridge rail and landed on Richland Avenue in the City of Athens,” explained Sgt. Chris Davis, who responded to the incident.
Some corn syrup was spilled in the accident, forcing the closure of the westbound lane of US Rt 33 as crews work to clear the syrup and the remaining wreckage. It is expected to remain closed all day Monday and into the evening.
“It’s gonna be an all day clean up,” said Sgt. Chris Goss.