ST. LOUIS — Two rollover crashes that involved tractor-trailers caused traffic issues in the St. Louis area Wednesday morning.
The first crash happened at around 5:30 a.m. on Interstate 55 at Highway Z in Pevely, Missouri. A tractor-trailer drove off the road on I-55, struck a concrete wall and ended up crashing onto Highway Z. The tractor-trailer rolled over onto its side and came to a stop in the middle of the roadway.
The driver was seriously injured, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported.
The scene was cleared shortly after 2 p.m.
At around 6:45 a.m., another rollover crash involving a tractor-trailer occurred on eastbound Interstate 255 near Lindbergh. The tractor-trailer rolled over and landed on its side.
Eastbound traffic was restricted to one lane while first responders worked to clear the crash. The scene was cleared shortly after 11 a.m.
The driver suffered minor injuries, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported.
Both of these tractor-trailers are totaled.
Executive Director Matt Hart with the Illinois Trucking Association said if you're changing lanes, give plenty of room for tractor-trailers since they need more space to slow down.
He explained it could take two football fields to stop properly since some trucks weigh 80,000 pounds.
Hart added there are four no-zones around a truck.
"It’s directly in front of the truck, directly behind if you can’t see their mirrors, left and particularly on the right, the right side of a semi has a very large blind spot that the driver can’t see you," he shared.
He also shared that dry conditions could add more residue on the highways and when rain hits, it can make the roads more slick.
"We’re always watching the weather and we’ll work our routes around that. For drivers on the road, give plenty of space and slow down," Hart told 5 On Your Side.
For traffic conditions around the St. Louis area, click here.