Semi tips in Cedar Rapids, spilling beer and fuel

CEDAR RAPIDS - Beer and diesel fuel spilled from a semi-trailer truck that overturned Thursday morning in Cedar Rapids.

Authorities said the semi, driven by Travis Dicks, 36, of Colfax, Wis., was taking the ramp from northbound Interstate 380 to westbound Highway 30 just before 8 a.m. when he lost control. The rig went down an embankment into a grassy area and tipped onto its side.

Dicks was not hurt in the crash. Fire Department spokesman Greg Buelow said up to five gallons of diesel fuel may have leaked out. He said firefighters sealed a crack on one of the two 175-gallon fuel tanks.

The semi was loaded with about 45,000 pounds of Bud Light beer, mostly in 24-packs, Dicks said. When the semi tipped, the top of the trailer split open and some of the cargo spilled onto the grass.

Dicks said he caught loose gravel as he took the ramp, and he lost control.

“I tried bringing her back, but that didn't work, so I tried to steer her down the hill to keep it upright, but that didn't work, either,” Dicks said.

The windshield popped out when the tractor cab landed on its side, and Dicks crawled out through the hole. Two people stopped to make sure he was OK.

Dicks was headed for Fridley, Minn. after starting his trip in Lee County, Iowa.

Police shut down the ramp so the tractor cab could be towed away. Another semi was en route to load up the beer.

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