Newly released dash camera footage shows the dramatic moment a semi-truck crashed over the rail of a Louisville, Kentucky bridge and was left dangling over the edge in March. The incident occurred on the Clark Memorial Bridge, which crosses over the Ohio River. The truck crashed through the bridge’s guardrail barrier, causing it to hang over the water with the terrified driver still inside. Initial reports indicated that the truck was heading northbound on the bridge when it swerved and drove through the guardrail, but some details were missing which are seen in the video.
In the footage released by the Jefferson County Kentucky Attorney’s Office, the truck driver can be seen driving across the bridge in a split image. The top image shows the driver, while the bottom image shows what is in front of the truck. The sound of screeching wheels can be heard as a pickup truck swerves into the northbound lane and crashes head-on into the semi-truck. This collision causes the driver to be jerked around inside while trying to regain control of her 18-wheeler as it heads towards the side of the bridge. Within seconds, the truck crashes through the guardrail, and the driver can be heard screaming until the truck comes to a stop with her trapped in the cab as it hangs over the side of the bridge more than 100 feet above the Ohio River.
Dramatic video footage then shows a first responder being lowered down to the semi-truck from a ladder in order to lift the driver, identified as 26-year-old Sydney Thomas, to safety. The trailer of the truck, which belongs to a major food distribution company, became wedged against the bridge beams, preventing it from falling into the water below. The hood of the truck also popped open and could be seen hanging from the cab. The driver of the pickup truck, 33-year-old Trevor Branham, was charged with four counts of wanton endangerment as well as operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license in connection with the crash.
Overall, the dash camera footage captures the intense and dangerous situation that unfolded on the Clark Memorial Bridge in Louisville. The dramatic rescue of the truck driver from her dangling vehicle by first responders adds to the tension of the situation. The video highlights the potential dangers of driving on bridges and the importance of safe and attentive driving to prevent accidents like this one. The quick response of emergency personnel and the successful rescue of the driver demonstrate the importance of well-trained first responders in handling such dangerous situations. The cause of the crash, including the actions of the pickup truck driver that led to the collision, adds a layer of complexity to the incident and the subsequent legal repercussions faced by those involved.
