Cement mixer blows tire and crashes into tree

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Neil Mariotti reported to Historic City News in St Augustine that this morning, a loaded cement mixer was traveling north on US-1, in the outside lane, when the left-front tire burst.

The 2006 Mack cement truck sustained about $50,000 in damages when the blowout caused the driver to lose control of the heavy truck and steer towards the median.

According to the report filed, the 44 year-old driver, Joseph Murray of Palm Coast, collided with a tree just south of SR-206 at 8:30 a.m., with enough force to cause the mixer barrel to come off the carrier.

Murray suffered minor injuries in the crash and was transported to Flagler Hospital for evaluation and medical treatment.

Trooper Mariotti reports that the driver was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and alcohol did not contribute to the collision. No charges have been filed.