Tractor Trailer Overturned on Route 1 and American Eagle Boulevard

An overturned tractor trailer at U.S. Route 1 and American Eagle Boulevard caused a mess earlier this afternoon.

The fully-loaded tractor trailer tipped over and blocked both northbound lanes of Jefferson Davis Highway, and the subsequent activity and back-up blocked southbound traffic down to one lane.

The accident occurred on Jefferson Davis Highway at the intersection of American Eagle Boulevard and Celestial Drive. Prince William County Police reported the crash at 12:18 p.m.

Prince William County Police reported no injuries because of the accident. In fact, Samir Aliu, the driver of the truck said the accident was a result of his trying to avoid injury.

Aliu said he was traveling southbound on Jefferson Davis Highway when the light changed from green to yellow—too short of a time for him to stop the tractor trailer—and then he realized a Post Office vehicle was in his way.

"A truck needs three football fields to stop," said Aliu, who was driving his load of debris to Richmond. "I saw a Post Office truck in my way and I thought to myself it's either hit him or make a mess."

Aliu opted for the mess. "A mess you can clean up," said Aliu. "A lost life, you can't."

At the time Woodbridge Patch arrived on the scene, there was no Post Office truck.

Aliu said he swerved at the stoplight onto Celestial Drive to avoid hitting the other driver, and his truck tipped over spilling the entire load.

Prince William County Police closed U.S. Route 1 northbound before American Eagle Boulevard to contain the accident and resulting debris. Northbound traffic was rerouted to the southbound lanes, causing jams before Port Potomac Avenue headed to Dale Boulevard. 

Three tow truck crews pulled the truck upright at about 1:20 p.m. and a duo of dump trucks followed to begin cleaning up the mess.

At 2 p.m., the truck was moved off of Rte. 1 onto Celestial Drive, debris was completely removed from the road and traffic traveling north and south on Route 1 returned to normal.

Aliu hoped that insurance would help him out with the repairs, or else he "would lose everything."