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An 18-wheeler hauling paper to Illinois drove off the road and hit a tree Tuesday morning in Jemison.

West Chilton Volunteer Fire Department EMS Chief Susie Smith said the wreck occurred on Alabama Highway 191 near County Road 50.

“We received the call about 5:50 a.m.,” Smith said. “The 18-wheeler was traveling northbound on Highway 191, ran off the road and hit a tree.”

Smith said there were two people in the vehicle including the driver of the truck and a passenger who was in the sleeper cab.

“Neither individual was injured and both were out walking around once we arrived,” Smith said. “It wasn’t really clear what happened. We don’t know if they were driving too fast and lost control or if the driver fell asleep or what.”

Smith said the truck did knock down a portion of fencing that belonged to a landowner near the scene of the crash.

The northbound lane of traffic was shut down for about an hour while emergency crews worked the scene.

“It could have been a lot worse,” Smith said. “The truck didn’t flip, but the impact of the crash really tore the truck up.”

Smith said it appeared the truck was traveling from Maplesville toward Jemison.

In addition to West Chilton Volunteer Fire Department, Jemison Fire Department and RPS Ambulance responded to the crash.