For The Tribune

A semi loaded with 27,000 pounds of Pop Tarts overturned on Interstate 65 in southern Bartholomew County, blocking one lane of traffic for several hours.

Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Warner said the accident happened at the 57.5 mile marker of southbound I-65, south of Columbus, at about 11:45 p.m. Sunday.

The driver — Ross Liechtenstein, 47, Chicago — was initially trapped in the semi, but was freed by Columbus firefighters and treated at the scene for minor injuries, deputies said.

Liechtenstein told Warner that he was driving in the right lane when he drifted onto the right shoulder, driving over the rumble strips, deputies said. He then sharply steered to the left and went into the median, deputies said.

Liechtenstein was unable to regain control and the semi trailer flipped onto the driver’s side as he attempted to get the semi back on the roadway, deputies said.

The overturned semi blocked the left lane of the interstate and the trailer was off the roadway in the median, deputies said.

The left lane of southbound I-65 was closed at about 11:57 p.m. to remove the semi and trailer and reopened at about 3:13 a.m. Monday, deputies said. During the disruption, traffic was able to continue southbound in the right lane, deputies said.