A West Virginia Turnpike toll booth operator was injured this afternoon when a truck carrying an oversized load used the wrong toll lane, ripping the structure of the toll booth from its foundation.
WVSP: Trucker Tried To Squeeze Oversized Load Through Regular Toll Lane
The incident happened at 12:45 p.m. at the toll plaza in Sharon, West Virginia.
The latest on this toll booth crash tonight @WOWK13News at 5 live from the WV Turnpike. pic.twitter.com/ZGZezv3q0H
— WOWK/Alyssa Meisner (@wowkalyssa) December 20, 2017
The West Virginia State Police say that a southbound truck driver hauling an oversized load tried to use a regular toll lane instead of a lane meant for the use of oversized vehicles. As the truck driver tried to squeeze through, he struck the toll booth and ripped the structure out of the ground.
NEW: This was the toll booth before crews pulled it. A new one has just been installed. All but one lane is now back open. pic.twitter.com/MqvFhDSt8o
— WOWK/Alyssa Meisner (@wowkalyssa) December 20, 2017
A male toll booth worker suffered non life-threatening injuries.
The truck driver was not hurt.
Police say that the truck driver was ticketed for failure to obey traffic signs.
NEW: This was the scene immediately after an 18-wheeler got stuck in a WV Turnpike lane. Driver was ok. Toll booth worker was transported. pic.twitter.com/NDZXq9D39t
— WOWK/Alyssa Meisner (@wowkalyssa) December 20, 2017
Two tollbooths were closed as a result of the incident, which also destroyed camera equipment.
The West Virginia State Police are still investigating the incident.