OHIO COUNTY, WV - An onion truck traveling from Colorado to the Washington DC area might have caused more than the usual tears for commuters on the Interstate 470 east, near Belmont County’s Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The large haul of produce flipped over and blocked the lanes of the interstate for several hours, according to a WTOV 9 local report.

One onlooker told the news source that the onion load shifted in the back of the truck, sending the vehicle airborne briefly before overturning.

The driver, Joseph Chille, fortunately escaped without injury, saying that he lost control avoiding another vehicle that had veered into his lane.

Eastbound lanes are shut down beginning at state lane. Onions are covering the roadway. @WTOV9 pic.twitter.com/T51LfgzANF

— Anthony Conn (@AnthonyWTOV9) April 17, 2017

“On my right side, I was trying to avoid it and my trailer pulled me off the road,” said Chille. “I was trying to come back and I couldn't make it."

The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Belmont County Hazardous Material Response Team, and the Neffs Fire Department responded, but the scene took hours to clear as traffic backed up for miles.

While the fate of the onions themselves was not reported, Tweets and photos from the event make it appear that fresh produce was a casualty of the accident. We’re grateful to hear the driver escaped unharmed, however, and will continue to report on all travel happenings and hazards relevant to the industry.