Chain Breaks & 75,000-Pound Piece of AC Equipment Falls Off Truck Here

A big rig hauling a 75,000 lb. piece of air conditioning equipment lost its load near the Highway 71 overpass at SH 159 in La Grange Thursday.

The accident happened around 2:30 p.m. The truck had exited SH 71 from the east and turned right on to SH 159.

La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath said the heavy equipment was tied down to the trailer with chains. However, he said at least one of those chains was underrated for the amount of weight involved. That chain broke as the truck turned right. The equipment slid off the right side of the trailer. The equipment cut a deep gouge in the highway asphalt. The truck and trailer came to rest facing north.

Gilbreath said the driver was cited for carrying an unsecured load. Police called in a large crane to remove the piece of equipment. Traffic was blocked at the intersection for more than two hours as workers cleared the scene.