Clay County-At 11:43 this morning, Indiana State Police troopers working the Interstate 70 construction zones in Vigo and Clay counties responded to a report of overturned construction equipment in the westbound lanes near the 23 mile marker.

Preliminary investigation found that as the unknown operator of the backhoe equipment was moving the vehicle in reverse in the closed driving lane, the operator caused the machine to enter an approximately nine feet by nine feet and four foot deep rectangle style opening in the pavement that was under repair. The equipment then toppled over onto its left side with the boom portion landing in the westbound passing. No other vehicles were struck and no injuries were reported.

Peffley and Hinshaw Wrecker Service was summoned to the scene and quickly returned the equipment to its intended position. The construction company using the equipment was Wabash Valley Asphalt.

Traffic was slowed and periodically stopped for nearly two and one-half hours during the incident.

Indiana State Police troopers working the overturn were Sergeant Chris Wright, Senior Trooper Ty Lightle and Trooper Joe Rutledge.

Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.