Semi crashes into irrigation system on SR2

A semi was unable to stop and crashed into a farm irrigation system that was being moved across SR 2 Tuesday afternoon, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office.

Around 1:30 p.m., one deputy was blocking eastbound lanes and another was blocking the westbound lanes while the irrigation system was being moved across the road.

A semi traveling eastbound on SR2 drove around the stopped traffic, continued eastbound and collided with the irrigation tower, deputies said.

The tower then collided with one of the patrol vehicles occupied by Deputy Corey Chavez, reports said.

There were no injuries in the crash.

The investigation revealed the semi was 20,000 pounds over the permitted weight of 134,000 pounds. The semi and trailer were taken out of service for insufficient breaks.

The driver, Enrique Rodriguez, was cited for the vehicle being overweight, his oversize/overweight permit was revoked, and he was also cited for failure to yield right-of-way to an emergency vehicle, unsafe lane movement and improper lane usage on a three or more-lane roadway.

“Just prior to the crash, Deputy Chavez saw what was about to occur and was able to brace himself for the impact. Thankfully and most importantly, he was not injured during this incident," said Captain Derek J. Allen. “This crash is just one example of the many dangers and hazards that our deputies encounter each and every day."