Kentucky State Police say that the accident happened about 1:30 pm, when the truck driven by 38-year-old Michael J. Branstetter of Versailles, MO struck the guard rail on the ramp's curve. The truck flipped over the rail and came apart in the grassy field nearby. The tractor trailer was completely destroyed, and its load of detergent and cleaning products were strewn over the area.

Branstetter, who appeared to not be wearing a seat belt, received multiple head lacerations and other injuries. Passing motorists, including a nurse, tended to him until Lyon County EMS arrived. They stabilized him until PHI air ambulance arrived to take him to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.

The crash remains under investigation. The ramp remained open during cleanup and investigation of the accident.