By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — A tractor-trailer driver was not injured after he swerved to miss a passenger car and overturned the truck, which came to rest Wednesday on its side at the intersection of Miller Road and West N.C. 152.

The driver, Elbert Lasley, 48, told China Grove Police a car was waiting to turn when the crash occurred. The driver of the other vehicle was able to drive away. A passerby helped Lasley get out of the truck, which was hauling about 40,000 pounds of flattened cardboard.

China Grove Police officer J. Washam said the speed limit on the road is 45 mph until just before where the front of the truck landed, which is 35 mph.

Washam said charges are undetermined. The driver was not injured.

It took crews with Kluttz Wrecker Service hours to get the truck righted with the least amount of damage to the trailer. The crew had to fasten the wheels and axle back onto the truck.

Once the wheels were attached the wrecker crew began stabilizing the trailer and lifting the back just enough to put large cushions underneath. The cushions would allow them to lift the trailer enough to attach straps over the truck to then right it.

After over an hour of work when the trailer appeared to be too heavy, the crew decided the truck needed to be emptied. Another truck with BAH Express was called to the scene with a forklift to load all of the pallets of cardboard onto the other truck.

Traffic was diverted around Miller Road, which was closed at the intersection.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.