Home Damaged In Vernon

Steel Roll came loose from semi

Homeowners in  Vernon had quite the wake up call when a 47,000 pound steel roll fell off of a trailer and crashed into the front of their home on Wednesday, December 15.

According to Deputy Drew Heilers with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, a semi truck and trailer associated with West Container Repair out of Columbus was driving along the curve where Jackson Street meets Poplar Street in Vernon when the weight of the truck’s haul shifted, breaking the chain that held the steel roll in place, and causing it to careen into the front of the house at 33 N State Hwy 3.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:15 a.m. and traffic was backed up on State Road 3 through Vernon for three and a half hours for clean up. Deputies from JCSO were at the scene with the aid of the State Highway Department to help direct traffic.

Though the homeowners were inside at the time, nobody was hurt as a result of the steel roll breaking loose. Damage to the sidewalk, the front bay window, wall and a section of the front porch of the house was sustained, but the rest of the building seems to be untouched.

The driver of the truck was not reported to be intoxicated or under the influence, and whether speed or a faulty chain is at fault is still to be determined.

“It was just a freak accident,” said Deputy Heilers.