METHUEN — A tractor-trailer loaded with garage doors took the offramp from Interstate 495 south to Route 213 and rolled over, trapping the driver in the cab for about 15 minutes.
Linda Boucher, 44, of Woonsocket, R.I., was taken to Lawrence General Hospital with minor injuries, state police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Murray said.
The 2007 Freightliner tractor and trailer rolled on its side on the narrow median that separates the traffic from the southbound ramp from oncoming traffic from the I-495 north offramp to Route 213 west, and then slid onto the paved surface, partially obstructing the end of the offramp near where the traffic merges.
The accident occurred about 10:05 a.m. and traffic on the ramps was halted for about 10 minutes before it was allowed to proceed, and was halted again while a large wrecker from Coady's Towing righted the truck and towed it away.
Because the truck slid off the southbound exit ramp, according to observers, traffic on I-495 South exiting onto 213 west was able to get by the crash scene.
Traffic from I-495 north was backed up on the ramp, however, as the ramp to 213 was partially blocked.
The cargo of garage doors remained inside the trailer.
State police at the scene said they did not know if the cargo shifted as the truck came down the ramp causing it to roll over.
The truck is owned by the Ryder Truck Rental company, but state police could not immediately say who was renting it, where it was coming from or its destination.
The state police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section along with state Trooper Michael Spencer from the Andover barracks are investigating the crash.
Boucher is likely to be cited for traveling at a speed greater than reasonable, state police said.
