Photo: Maryland State Highway Administration
A wind turbine blade fell onto Interstate 70 near Hagerstown, Maryland, early Monday morning (June 30), causing significant traffic disruptions. According to the Maryland State Highway Administration, the incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. when a truck carrying the blade struck a guardrail, causing the blade to detach and partially block both westbound and eastbound lanes.
The Maryland State Police confirmed that one person was taken to Meritus Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident led to the closure of all westbound lanes and two eastbound lanes near the intersection with Interstate 81. Crews worked quickly to clear the scene, and all lanes were reopened by 8:28 a.m.
The blade, which belonged to a turbine from the Roth Rock wind farm in Oakland, Maryland, was captured on camera by the Maryland Department of Transportation. The footage showed the blade lying across the highway, causing drivers to maneuver around it.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and the Maryland State Police are investigating how the blade became detached. The incident highlights the challenges of transporting large equipment on busy highways.