CHARLESTON - A semitrailer was damaged Monday morning when it struck a 170-foot wind turbine blade being hauled on Illinois Route 130 on the north side of Charleston.

No injuries were reported as a result of the collision that occurred shortly after 11 a.m. at the intersection of Route 130/Olive Avenue and Seventh Street adjacent to the Kirchner Building Center.

Lt. John Bennett of the Charleston Police Department said the collision occurred after the westbound truck driver who was hauling the wind turbine blade on a telescoping trailer stopped to adjust the load before turning north. The wind turbine blade extended several feet beyond the back of the telescoping trailer.

Bennett said the driver of a westbound semi-trailer attempted to pass the stopped vehicle and misjudged the length of the wind turbine blade. He said the semi-trailer's cab passed underneath the blade, but the cargo trailer itself struck the tip of the blade. Part of the top of the cargo trailer was sliced off by the turbine blade.

The collision pushed the wind turbine blade forward on the cradle that was holding it in place on the telescoping trailer, Bennett said. A crane was brought in to put the blade back into a secure position on the cradle. The damaged semitrailer had to be towed from the scene.

Police officers were on the scene until 2:45 p.m. Bennett said Route 130/Olive Avenue was closed to traffic while the crane was in operation, holding up the passage of two semitrailers that were carrying turbine components that went with the blade.

Bennett said the wind turbine haulers, en route from Texas to Indiana, were taking Route 130 through Charleston on their way north to Illinois Route 133. He said the haulers were taking state highways to avoid construction on Interstate 57. He said other haulers in the group had passed through Charleston earlier in the day.

The driver of the semitrailer, Richard L. Burton, 65, of Fisher, was ticketed for improper passing. The telescoping trailer hauling the wind turbine was driven by John L. Avery of Fairhaven, Mass.