Update 11 a.m. August 22————————————————————————
Authorities have released new information about yesterday’s truck crash that shut down a portion of I-77.
The Ohio Highway Patrol reports that the crash occurred when truck went off of the left side of I-77, hit a guardrail, then went over a barrier, falling onto Prairie College Street SW.
The 32 year old truck driver had to be extracted from the truck and was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Police say that alcohol isn’t thought to have been a factor.
All lanes of I-77 reopened around 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Original Report————————————————————————————-Ohio transportation officials are warning drivers to seek alternate routes after a semi truck plunged off an overpass, forcing the closure of a portion of southbound I-77.
The incident occurred near Canton, Ohio on Wednesday, August 21 when a semi truck crashed off an overpass onto the roadway below.
Minor injuries have been reported.
Southbound I-77 is closed between State Route 800 and Fohl Street, according to Canton city officials. It isn’t clear when the interstate will reopen. Heavy traffic backups have been reported and drivers are asked to avoid the area.
The Ohio Department of Transportation lists the detour route as SR-627 to US-30 to SR-21 south to I-77 south.
This is a developing story and it isn’t yet clear whether any other vehicles were involved or how the crash occurred.