- A semi-truck driver crashed on March 1 and dangled over the bridge for hours as crews worked to extract the driver
- Now, footage of the crash shows the harrowing moments of the accident itself
- New details reveal that the driver who caused the crash is now facing multiple charges
Accidents occur on the road daily, and it’s often safety equipment that saves lives. However, in the case of the tractor-trailer in this story, random chance may have played a larger role.
After losing control of the truck following a collision, a driver found herself dangling approximately 100 feet above the Ohio River. Now, a court case resulting from the crash reveals dashcam footage of her harrowing experience.
26-year-old Sydney Thomas was traveling along the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge on March 1 when the unthinkable occurred. A pickup truck driver in the opposing lanes veered into hers. That driver, 33-year-old Trevor Branham, reportedly rear-ended a stalled vehicle before colliding with the semi.
Read: It’s Amazing The Ohio Police Didn’t Kill Anyone In This Wild Chase
Witnesses told WDRB that he was speeding and weaving between lanes before the accident. The impact with the semi tossed the pickup into the air and pulled Thomas’ truck hard to the left. Despite her quick hand-over-hand action, she couldn’t save it.
The semi drove across both oncoming lanes, through the barrier, and over the edge. As it begins to fall toward the river, the fear in Thomas’ voice is palpable. Ultimately, the trailer itself became stuck on the bridge supports and the whole truck froze in place. From there, rescuers repelled to her and managed to pull her out safely.
“When I went through the railing, I was like, ‘Wow, this is a crazy way to die,’” Thomas told WHAS. “He took my suspension out, which meant it didn’t matter which way I turned my wheel,” she said. “I lost control, I held onto the wheel. I couldn’t swerve into the other lane.”
“I really thought I was going to die. Sometimes you pray, and I’m guilty of this, I pray, and I don’t think God is listening,” she added. “But he was that day.” Now, Branham is facing multiple serious charges including driving with a suspended license and wanton endangerment related to the crash.
“This is the result, manifesting extreme indifference to human life, that could result in serious physical injury or death,” said Jefferson County District Attorney Liem Sokhon.