I-65 wreck during morning rush hour caused by failed strap on concrete truck, police say
HOMEWOOD, Ala. — The accident which shut down I-65 in both directions and delayed drivers in Jefferson County for hours Wednesday morning was caused by a failed strap on a concrete truck according to Homewood Police.
Heavy concrete pipes broke loose from a truck as it was traveling southbound along I-65 past the Lakeshore Parkway exit. A driver suffered minor injuries after the concrete pipes spilled out into the northbound lanes of the interstate.
A preliminary investigation by Homewood Police revealed a strap on the truck failed while the driver was switching lanes. This caused a shift in the pipes, allowing them to break free according to police. The driver of the truck, owned by Foley Products Company, was issued a citation by police.
ALDOT confirmed it will seek reimbursement from the company for the damage caused by the pipes to the barrier separating traffic along the interstate.
Foley Products Company offers concrete delivery services with locations across the southeastern United States. The company was cited once in 2017 for a driver failing to secure a load according to federal safety records. Efforts to reach the company for comment were not immediately successful.
Damage from spilled truck loads has been a problem on interstates in the Birmingham metro before. Governor Bob Riley signed a bill into law in 2010 regulated the transport of steel coils after spilled loads caused millions of dollars in damages to Alabama roads.
The concrete pipes in Wednesday's accident did not damage the road according to police.
