What Happened (confirmed)
On October 7, 2025, I-64 eastbound near mile marker 142.5 by Morehead (Rowan County) was shut down for several hours after a crash involving an overturned semi hauling coal. According to public reports from LEX18, no injuries were reported and the road later reopened. (Carrier name and USDOT number are unknown as of publication.)
-
Corridor: I-64 EB @ MM 142.5 • Morehead / Rowan County, KY
-
Vehicle: Coal-hauling tractor-trailer (commercial vehicle) — carrier unknown
-
Injuries: None reported; closure lasted several hours, then reopened.
Why It Matters (public safety)
Even without injuries, an overturned semi on a busy interstate corridor like I-64 can cause secondary crashes, extended closures, and regional delays. Coal loads and other bulk commodities can shift weight quickly, increasing rollover risk if the trailer’s center of gravity moves or a maneuver goes wrong. For drivers and families affected by the shutdown (or a related collision):
-
Queue awareness at interstate speeds is critical—back-of-queue impacts are a common cause of serious injuries.
-
Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) evidence (e.g., driver logs, vehicle data, maintenance records) often clarifies causation when a semi overturns.
-
If another vehicle is struck during the incident (or after a sudden traffic stop), liability may involve multiple parties depending on the sequence of events.
What To Do Next (practical steps)
-
Medical care first. If you were involved in a related crash or had symptoms after a sudden stop/impact, get evaluated and follow your treatment plan.
-
Request the official report. Use the investigating agency’s portal or Kentucky State Police to obtain your crash report once available.
-
Identify the carrier (if applicable). Photograph door markings (legal name + any USDOT/MC), trailer/unit IDs, and license plates. Branding alone may not reveal the operating carrier.
-
Preserve digital evidence. Ask for retention of dash-cam, ECM/EDR (“black box”), ELD/HOS logs, and maintenance/inspection records—these can overwrite quickly.
-
Be cautious with insurers. Share basics only; avoid recorded statements until you understand your rights and responsibilities.
-
Know your options under Kentucky law. Significant injuries can allow you to step outside no-fault and pursue full tort damages; comparative fault can divide responsibility among multiple drivers/companies.
For background on rights and timelines, see our internal hubs: Kentucky Semi-Truck Accident Guide, Delivery & Company Vehicle Accidents in KY, and (when relevant) Accidents Involving Toyota/Ford/GM in KY.
Evidence to Save (checklist)
-
Police: crash report; diagram/reconstruction; any 911/CAD timestamps.
-
Scene: lane lines, debris fields, skid marks, final positions, lighting/visibility, queue length.
-
Truck/company IDs: legal name on doors, USDOT/MC numbers, trailer/unit IDs, plates.
-
Vehicle data (commercial): ECM/EDR download; ELD/HOS logs; driver-facing & road-facing dash-cam; maintenance/inspection records.
-
Medical: ER/urgent-care notes, imaging, referrals, prescriptions, work restrictions, bills, mileage.
-
Tow/cleanup: invoices, time stamps (helpful to corroborate closure duration and severity).
FAQs
Who’s liable when a semi overturns and blocks I-64?
It depends on why the rollover happened. Liability may involve the driver, the motor carrier (respondeat superior), maintenance contractors, or others—based on evidence from logs, inspections, and vehicle data.
—
Can I claim lost wages if I was in a crash caused by a sudden backup?
If you were injured in a secondary collision tied to the closure, you may seek damages from the responsible party(ies), subject to Kentucky’s comparative fault rules and proof of causation.
—
Does “no injuries reported” mean there’s no claim?
Not necessarily. Some injuries appear hours or days later. Document symptoms and follow up with your clinician.
—
How do I find the trucking company?
Look for the legal name and any USDOT number on the tractor doors; once public, the police report can confirm the operating carrier.
—
Is a coal truck a “CMV”?
Yes—an interstate tractor-trailer hauling coal is typically a commercial motor vehicle, which means additional safety rules and electronic records may apply.
How Morrin Law Office Helps (educational)
We assist Kentuckians after interstate truck incidents throughout the I-64 corridor and statewide. Our team moves quickly to:
-
Identify the operating carrier and insurance layers,
-
Preserve electronic data (ELD/ECM/dash-cam) before it’s overwritten,
-
Explain no-fault thresholds and comparative fault in plain English, and
-
Coordinate medical documentation while you focus on recovery.
Contact Morrin Law Office — (859) 358-0300 • morrinlawoffice.com • 214 W Main St, Richmond, KY 40475
Serving clients across Kentucky.
Sources (public links)
-
LEX18: “I-64 eastbound near mile marker 142 in Rowan County back open after semi crash” — confirms overturned semi hauling coal, closure for several hours, and no injuries (posted Oct 7, 2025). LEX 18 News – Lexington, KY (WLEX)
Disclaimer
This article summarizes publicly available information for general education. It is not legal advice and not a solicitation. Do not contact crash victims or families based on this post. Facts may change as official reports are released; we will update if reliable information becomes available.
0 Comments