Wind Turbine Blade Falls Across I-70 in Maryland

Why Are They So Dangerous?

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – June 30, 2025
A pre-dawn incident involving a wind turbine blade shut down both directions of Interstate 70 near Exit 26 at I-81 early Monday morning, disrupting traffic across Washington County, Maryland.

ABC 7 News – WJLA

The massive blade, which had been mounted on a tractor-trailer as part of an oversized load convoy, detached from the trailer, crossed the grassy median, and came to rest spanning multiple eastbound and westbound lanes. One person was taken to Meritus Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.

Although emergency crews were able to remove the turbine blade and reopen lanes later in the morning, the crash raises serious questions about how such cargo was being transported—and whether proper safety protocols were followed.

What Happened on I-70 with the Wind Turbine Blade Falling Off?

At approximately 5:00 a.m., a flatbed tractor-trailer transporting one of these enormous blades was traveling westbound on I-70 in Washington County, Maryland. According to initial reports, the blade dislodged from the trailer due to potential inadequate or improper bindings, crossed the grassy center median, and landed across multiple eastbound lanes, blocking traffic in both directions.

Live traffic camera footage shows the blade sprawled across the highway, with the hauler truck parked nearby. Crews spent hours working to lift and realign the blade for safe removal.

Maryland State Highway Administration officials later reopened the road—but the incident could have been far worse.

Could This Crash Have Been Prevented? Legal and Safety Concerns Around Oversized Load Transport like Turbine Blades

Transporting wind turbine blades is no ordinary task. These blades often can reach length of 200-250 feet in length and weigh tens of thousands of pounds. Under Federal FMCSA guidelines, they are classified as oversized and overweight freight, requiring special permits, route planning, and—in many cases—flag vehicles, police escorts, and restricted travel times.

While the full investigation is ongoing, several potential failures or violations may have contributed to this incident:

Improper Load Securement
Wind turbine blades must be strapped and stabilized using specialized equipment. If the load wasn’t adequately secured—or if securement devices failed due to wear, weather, or installer error—the company hauling the blade could be held liable under FMCSA 393.100–136 load securement standards.

Speeding or Driving Too Fast for Conditions
Even if the truck was within the legal limit, driving too fast for traffic, weather, or terrain can be considered negligence—especially when hauling something this large. Oversized loads are often required to move slowly, especially in low-light hours like 5 a.m., when this crash occurred.

Failure to Use Proper Escort Vehicles
Flag cars or pilot escorts are often required to warn other drivers and assist the truck with lane changes, curves, and unexpected obstacles. If the trucking company failed to arrange these properly—or used an insufficient number—this could represent another layer of liability.

Dangerous Timing of Transport
Many oversized loads are restricted to non-peak hours, weekends, or specific weather conditions. While this crash happened early, it still occurred during commuter ramp-up and may have violated permit timing restrictions depending on Maryland DOT regulations.

Negligent Hiring, Training, or Supervision
Was the driver qualified and trained for this specialized haul? Were proper inspections conducted beforehand? These are questions that legal teams typically investigate in similar incidents, often revealing a pattern of safety shortcuts taken by shipping brokers or logistics contractors.

Just How Big Are These Turbine Blades?

To understand the danger, you need to grasp the scale.

Wind turbine blades aren’t just long—they’re colossal:

Typical commercial blades today measure 180 to 240 feet—as long as a Boeing 747.
The newest offshore wind blades top 350 feet each—longer than a football field.
When mounted on trucks, these blades extend far beyond standard trailers, requiring custom cradles, pivot points, and exact turning maneuvers.

In short: when a blade of this size detaches from its trailer, it becomes a 20-ton missile, ready to crush and impale the first victim it finds..

Wind Turbine Blade Accident - Who’s Legally Responsible?

When an incident like this occurs, liability could fall on multiple parties:

The Truck Driver – for negligence, improper speed, or failing to stop in time.
The Trucking Company – for poor training, lack of inspections, or regulatory violations.
The Equipment Manufacturer or Loader – if the rigging system or support cradles failed.
The Shipper or Freight Broker – for hiring unfit contractors or scheduling unsafe routes and times.
Escort Vehicle Operators – if they were missing or failed to signal properly.

Every one of these parties may carry separate insurance policies—which means more opportunities for recovery if you or a loved one is hurt.

Legal Help for Victims of Oversized Load & Wind Turbine Crashes

Oversized load accidents are not your typical fender-benders. They often involve:

Catastrophic injuries or fatalities
Multi-vehicle crashes
Disruption of major highways
Confusing liability among multiple companies and insurers

If you’ve been injured or lost a family member in a crash involving a wind turbine blade or any oversized freight, it’s critical to act fast.

Speak with a Truck Accident Lawyer Now

Willis has over 40+ Years of Experience, is licensed in Texas and New York and is Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1988. Over the last four decades Willis has taken on some of the biggest corporations in the World. As a former attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, Willis learned quickly the complexity of catastrophic accidents. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. Call and discuss your case with an experienced personal injury and truck accident attorney for free. Delay in securing the critical evidence in any truck accident case, can often make the proof harder at time of trial.