Trucker Topples INDOT Camera Tower - Waffco Comes To The Rescue!

Here's the story from the Chesterton Tribune:

Indiana State Police arrested a Chicago truck driver early this morning after he crashed into a 180-foot tower, causing it to fall across both lanes of the ramp at I-65 and I-80. Taken to the Lake County Jail on charges of operating while intoxicated and criminal mischief was Jose Herrera, 52, of Chicago, police said. Police said that at about 1:56 a.m., Herrera was driving a 1998 Kenworth semi eastbound on I-80 to the southbound I-65 ramp. Police said Herrera appears to have failed to negotiate the curve and continued going straight off the roadway, down the embankment and through a chain link fence surrounding the 180-foot camera tower owned by the Indiana Department of Transportation. The tower fell north across both lanes of I-65 northbound to the I-80 westbound ramp, police said. The ramp was closed until part of the tower could be cut and one lane re-opened at approximately 5:15 a.m. The ramp from I-80 east bound to I-65 south bound remained opened. Police said Herrera was traveling from Chicago to Columbus with a load of auto parts weighing 41,912 pounds. No load was lost in the crash. Police said Herrera stated that he drank three beers before picking up his load in Chicago. Troopers also found an open can of beer in the truck, police said. Herrera was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center in Hobart where he was treated and released before he was taken to the county jail. Police said the camera tower, which had an estimated value of $200,000 to $300,000, was destroyed. The 1998 Kenworth leased to Pier Transportation of Chicago was also totaled, police said. Assisting the Indiana State Police were the Gary Fire Department, Waffco Towing, and the INDOT Hoosier Helpers.