UPDATE @ 9:10 p.m.: The semitrailer that jackknifed on state Route 4 in Dayton has been cleared and the highway is open again.
The accident, reported about 4:30 p.m., was cleared about 8 p.m., according to a crew member with Sandy's Towing and Recovery, the local company Dayton police called to the scene.
One of the Sandy's crew members said the crew brought in a low-boy flat trailer, used a crane to hoist the damaged trailer onto it and drove it -- 20,000 pounds of molasses and all -- on to Springfield.
UPDATE @ 5:30 p.m.:
An estimated 20,000 pounds of molasses are in the trailer damaged in the semi accident on state Route 4 North.
One of the members of the wrecker team said the team is thinking of bringing in a flatbed trailer to place underneath the damaged trailer to haul it off the highway.
The semi driver said the cargo was headed to Springfield from Dayton.
The trailer's cab apparently is hung up on the guardrail just off the far right lane, which is making removing the trailer difficult.
Traffic is continuing to be directed into the far left lane and around the accident scene.
UPDATE @ 5:06 p.m.:
One lane of state Route 4 North has been reopened.
Crews now are attempting to move the trailer from its back. They tried to pull it off the highway from the front, but that didn't work.
UPDATE @ 5:01 p.m.:
State Route 4 North has been shut down while crews try to remove the trailer, which split during the accident.
INITIAL REPORT
A semitrailer hauling molasses has jackknifed on state Route 4 North in Dayton, near the exit to state Route 444 East, and traffic is backed up for miles.
The accident was reported about 4:30 p.m.
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The far left lane is open. Two other lanes are blocked.
The driver, who was not injured, is out of Springfield
Wreckers from Springfield are on the way to unload and move the big rig and trailer, which has split open. Its cargo will have to be unloaded.
We have a crew on scene. We will update this developing report.
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