Semi-Truck Smashes Building, Attempts To Leave Scene

Edmonson Voice Staff
Police responded to another bizarre call today when the driver of a semi reportedly turned around in a driveway, smashed a block building owned by Bennie Duvall, then attempted to flee.

Officials said that a caller witnessed the semi truck back into the building on KY HWY 259 N, turn around, and drive in the opposite direction at a high rate of speed around 2:39 this afternoon. Deputies caught up with the semi on Main Street in Brownsville and initiated a traffic stop in front of Brownsville Missionary Baptist Church.

The building took on extensive damage.

Neighbors begin to clean up the demolished building.

Officials said the driver, David T. Norris, of Montgomery, Alabama, was very upset and wouldn't say exactly what had happened, but claimed he was trying to avoid school buses.

Semi trailer stopped on Main St. with concrete blocks and debris still on top. (submitted by Alison Lile)

David T. Norris, talks with law enforcement.

The Brownsville Fire Department was called out for use of their ladder to climb on top on the trailer to remove concrete blocks and other debris from the building.

Norris was criminally charged for Careless Driving and Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Render Aid.

Law enforcement said they pulled the semi over as quickly as they could in order to investigate and to remove the material on the trailer that were potential road hazards. It just happened to be on Main St. during the school rush, which caused traffic nightmares for quite some time.

A man in the Riverhill Shopping Center told us that he saw the truck turn around in the center's parking lot just prior to the incident and hit the center's sign as he tried to return to the highway. The man said the driver had to back up and try it again multiple times to avoid the sign.

Deputies also said that a female motorist reported that the semi pulled out in front of her which caused "defensive driving action to avoid a collision."

"The driver claimed he got lost and tried turning around several times," said Sheriff Shane Doyle. "No doubt, hitting the building was an accident, but it was obvious he was trying to flee the scene without being noticed. There were too many eyewitnesses to allow that to happen."

Norris is a driver for Celadon Trucking Services in Columbus, Indiana. "He probably won't be for long," Doyle added.

---