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Storms Packed High Winds, Heavy Rain

Last updated on Tuesday, May 12, 2015

(UNDATED) - Storms packing high winds and heavy rains overturned semitrailers and blew down trees in south Central and eastern Indiana Monday.

Reports a semitrailer overturned on Interstate 65 south of the Columbus exit Monday afternoon after a brief thunderstorm passed through the area.

Columbus police were responding to reports of trees falling on two cars.

Indiana State Police report two semitrailers were overturned in the median of I-70 about 50 miles east of Indianapolis after a storm with heavy rains and high winds passed through there just after 3 p.m.

Trooper Eric Fields was eastbound on I-70, just west of the Cambridge City exit, when he drove up on two semi trucks on their sides in the median.

The preliminary investigation suggests a Freightliner driven by Steven R. Hohn, 61, of Columbus, Ohio, was east bound on I-70 in the driving lane (right hand lane) when it was blown north into the median, ending up on the driver's door. A second semi, driven by Hafez Karim Al-Hilfy, 47, of Inkster, MI, was in the passing lane (left hand lane) about to pass the first semi, when the storm hit.

The high winds blew his truck over into the median, coming to rest on the driver's side against the first truck.

Hafez Karim Al-Hyfy was transported to Reid Memorial Hospital in Richmond with a complaint of pain, with what is believed to be non life threatening injuries. Both trucks were towing empty trailers at the time.

The interstate was down to one lane for over 2 ½ hours while crews worked to upright the semis and clear the debris.

Trooper Fields investigated the scene and was assisted by Troopers from the Pendleton Post, the Wayne County Sheriff's Department, an Indiana Conservation Officer, State Highway and the Cambridge City Fire Department.

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