Top 10 Weirdest Cargo Spills from Semi Truck Accidents in Indiana

August 21, 2017

Semi truck accidents are rarely anything to laugh about. Because of the severe damages and injuries they cause, it’s important to take them seriously when they happen.

But every once in a while, when a semi truck loses its cargo and everyone makes it out of the accident safely, it’s okay to marvel at the crazy products shipped across the country in semi trucks every day.

Here are our top 10 weirdest cargo spills that occurred right here in Indiana:

1. Talk About Losing Your Marbles

Just this past January, a semi truck lost 38,000 pounds of marbles on I-465 in Indianapolis.

The truck crashed around 8:30 a.m. the day after Inauguration Day at the 41-mile marker heading south on I-465.

According to police, the marbles took about 3 hours to clean up.

2. Caution: Wet Paint

In August 2016, an Indiana toll road received a fresh coat when a semi truck carrying 23,000 pounds of white paint flipped and spilled some of its load.

Around 300 feet of road was as white as a canvas in Elkhart County, just about 20 miles east of South Bend.

It took six hours to clean up the mess.

3. Oh, Honey

There was quite a lot of buzz this past May in when a semi truck carrying 40,000 pounds of honey rolled over in small Indiana town called Lowell.

The driver lost control of the vehicle after making a sharp left turn to get onto the southbound I-65 ramp off of Indiana State Road 2.

Although no honey was actually spilled, there were reports of a small yellow bear in a red shirt carrying a jar or two into some nearby woods with a small piglet following close behind….

4. Time to Spill the Tea on This One

In May 2014, two semi trucks collided near the exit for State Road 267 in Plainfield. One of the trucks lost some diesel fuel as well as dozens of Lipton lemon tea canisters from its trailer.

Westbound lanes reopened five hours later. Kermit the Frog could not be reached for comment.

5. Don’t Cry Over It

Another day, another accident on I-465. The lactose intolerant ran for the hills this past June when a semi truck spilled 48,000 gallons of milk on Indy’s northwest side.

Sgt. John Perrine tweeted, “Someone with a truck load of Oreos please meet me on I-465 near Michigan Rd, 48,000 gallons of milk has spilled on the interstate…” We like the way he thinks.

6. A New Kind of Cultural Trail

In September of last year, Steuben County got treated to a midnight snack when a semi truck full of yogurt flipped on U.S. 20 in the early hours of the morning.

The semi truck driver lost control of the vehicle on a curve in the road, hit a guardrail, and flipped, leaving a trail of yogurt in his wake.

The lanes were completely reopened by midmorning.

7. That’s Ruff

This past February, dogs in South Bend strained against their leashes in a desperate attempt to get to the eastbound lane of the toll road at mile marker 59, where a semi truck had spilled a load of dog food onto the highway.

The trailer actually split open, causing pallets of dog food to burst and their contents to scatter across the interstate, according to the police.

It took a few hours before all lanes of traffic were reopened. Unfortunately, dogs were not allowed to participate in the clean-up.

8. You Butter Believe It

In August 2014, a dairy truck’s journey was toast when the driver fell asleep while driving and crashed on I-465, spilling over 45,000 pounds of butter, margarine, and whipped cream.

Two lanes of the highway were closed while the buttery mess was cleaned up. Lanes reopened at noon.

9. The Grape Escape

Around 3:30 a.m. on I-70 in Indianapolis one June morning in 2016, a truckload of grapes made a break for it.

It took until noon to clean up the crash. Not all of the grapes were lost and there were no injuries, so there was really nothing to wine about.

10. I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream

In April 2013, I-465 was once again the backdrop of a delicious cargo spill. One afternoon, a semi truck overturned and spilled 35,000 pounds of ice cream on the northbound ramp of I-465 on Washington Street.

The truck spilled an assortment of Kroger Deluxe brand flavors onto the highway. Spoons were in short supply.

Help from an Indiana Semi Truck Accident Attorney

While it’s fun to think about the weird cargo spills Indiana has seen, the truth is that most semi truck accidents are far from fun. Because semi trucks are so big, they often cause disastrous injuries to truck drivers as well as drivers of other vehicles.

If you’ve been injured in a semi truck accident, Hensley Legal Group can help. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation.