18-wheeler flips, ties up traffic in Slidell

By Chad Ruiz
St. Tammany News
Published on Monday, June 9, 2008 9:58 AM CDT

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The 44,000 pounds of rebar was all it took to topple Roger Pleasant’s big rig into the ditch on Ben Thomas Road in Slidell Thursday afternoon.

According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Pleasant was heading east about 1 p.m. on Ben Thomas Road after leaving the Nufab Rebar Slidell LLC plant when one of the rear tires of the trailer slipped off the concrete street and into the mud carving a trail of rutted earth several feet long.

The weight of the steel caused the rear of the truck to slide further off the road into the nearly 5-foot ditch, toppling over as it came to a halt with Pleasant, his trailer and cab flipped onto their sides.

44,000 pounds of rebar and a steep ditch helped in toppling this big rig Thursday afternoon in Slidell along Ben Thomas Road. (Staff Photo by Chad Ruiz)

The cab of the 18-wheeler was short from being crushed, but officials at the scene said Pleasant didn’t appear to sustain any injuries. Even so he was taken to Slidell Memorial Hospital for precautionary measures.

Several STPSO cruisers, an engine from Fire Protection District 1 and an ambulance were present after the accident happened.

STPSO Spokesman George Bonnett later said the road had to be blocked for several hours as crews removed the rebar from the trailer before hoisting the big rig upright and off the street.

Although onsite officials said alcohol was not a factor, Bonnett said officers will likely issue Pleasant a citation for careless operation of a vehicle.

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