By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Two motorists suffered minor injuries Saturday after an overfilled, top-heavy 18-wheeler toppled over trying to make a turn and crashed into two other vehicles, according to a State Police spokesperson.

The accident happened just before 3 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Airline Highway and Main Street in LaPlace, said Trooper Melissa Matey, the spokesperson for State Police Troop B. She said the crash blocked the intersection for more than two hours while a crew worked to lift the truck and clear debris spilled from the truck.

According to a report from troopers at the scene, a 2007 Freightliner driven by Jewayne Townsey, 49, of Mississippi was traveling eastbound on Airline Highway when it attempted to turn right onto Main Street. The freighter, full of scrap metal, failed to properly negotiate the turn and toppled onto its side.

“The truck was traveling with too much speed and was too full to properly take the turn,” Matey said. “The truck rocked one way, then fell over into the other lane of traffic.”

As the truck fell, it struck two vehicles in the northbound lanes of Main Street. Matey said the drivers of both vehicles suffered minor injuries and were transported to River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace. She said the driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured, but was cited for careless operation of a motor vehicle.

The truck is owned by Empire Truck Sales LLC.