By Jon Johnson
FORT THOMAS – U.S. Highway 70 was closed in both directions just west of Fort Thomas for approximately 20 minutes Monday morning after a semi-truck with a tractor-trailer rolled onto its side.
According to a release from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), the incident occurred at about 9:58 a.m. when a westbound semi-truck hit a culvert and the trailer rolled onto its side. The driver, who was alone in the vehicle, suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene.
Deputies with the Graham County Sheriff’s Office and an officer with the Pima Police Department responded to the scene to assist the DPS and provided traffic control. Law enforcement was later relieved by employees with the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The truck was hauling highly sought-after Gila Valley cotton seed to be ultimately used in feed for dairy farms. The owner of the local trucking company advised the loss of the trailer and truck would likely amount to about $55,000.
The trucking company owner thanked the locals who helped him in the offload and recovery of the goods and truck, which ultimately took about three-and-a-half hours.
The truck and trailer were towed from the scene by Magnum Towing.
