Semi-truck carrying hot asphalt crashes

GREENE COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - A semi-truck driver was lucky to escape major injury after an early morning accident in Greene County.

Around 7 a.m. Thursday, emergency officials were called to Highway 54, just east of Bloomfield in Greene County.

Officials said a semi-truck going westbound was hauling more than 5,000 gallons of hot asphalt when the driver somehow lost control. The semi rolled several times, then hit a telephone pole and landed in a ditch.

"He barrel rolled down the highway and he was pretty fortunate to get out of there," Richland Taylor Volunteer Fire Department Chief Randy Baker said.

The driver, James Wilcox, of Magnolia, Ky., had a cut on his head and was taken to Bloomington Hospital for treatment.

Hazmat crews from Van Buren Township and Task Force Seven were cleaning up the accident.

Highway 54 was closed for a time Thursday morning. Officials limited traffic to one lane for several hours along State Road 54 near County Road 375 East, while crews cleaned up the scene.