Strong winds on Thursday blew a semi-tractor and its trailer on I-65 onto their sides, the Indiana State Police said.

According to police, at 4:15 p.m. trucker Bradley C. Brooks, 24, of Miamisburg, Ohio, was northbound on I-65, just south of the Merrillville/Hobart exit, was slowing to stop during a torrential rainfall when winds blew his tractor and empty trailer onto their ride side. The wind then pushed the rig into the far right exit lane, where it struck a van.

Brooks was not injured and there was only minor damage to the van, police said.

Brooks’ 2011 Freightliner is owned by U.S. Express out of Chattanooga, Tenn. Brooks was en route from Dayton, Ohio, to Joliet, Ill.

Posted 7/6/2012