Wind Turbine Blade Crashes onto Maryland Interstate, Injures One and Halts Traffic

One person was injured after a wind turbine blade fell onto Interstate 70 in Maryland

A dramatic traffic incident unfolded early Monday morning on Interstate 70 in Washington County, Maryland, after a massive wind turbine blade detached from a transport truck and slammed into oncoming traffic, injuring one person and forcing a temporary highway shutdown.

According to the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), the accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. when a westbound tractor-trailer carrying the wind turbine component struck a guardrail, causing the oversized blade to swing into the eastbound lanes of I-70. Moments later, the blade was clipped by another tractor-trailer traveling eastbound, escalating the collision.

One person sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. No other injuries were reported.

The impact prompted authorities to close all westbound lanes of I-70 at the intersection with Interstate 81, along with two eastbound lanes, while emergency responders worked to secure the scene. Traffic cameras operated by the Maryland Department of Transportation captured images of the enormous blade sprawled across both directions of the interstate, bringing traffic to a halt during the busy morning commute.

Heavy-duty towing crews responded to the scene and, after cutting away part of the damaged guardrail, were able to maneuver the transport truck back into the westbound lanes. The vehicle and its cargo were later moved to a wide shoulder west of Maryland Route 63 to allow traffic to resume.

All lanes were fully reopened by 8:28 a.m., restoring normal traffic flow in the area. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the crash.