RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The driver of a semi is recovering after the semi broke through a barrier at the end of a pulling track during a grandstand event at the Portage County Randolph Fair Thursday night.
According to organizers, it happened at approximately 10:59 p.m.
Denise Holben was there to cheer on a friend who was competing. She recorded videos of the other competitors and captured the moment the truck drove through the barrier.
"His truck just goes flying," she said. "It was just the weirdest thing; I don't think I even realized what was happening. It’s going way too fast and just went right out the end of the track."
The fair said no spectators, fairgoers, volunteers, or event personnel were on the other side of the barrier at the time of the incident.
"I’ve seen parts fly off trucks, and drive shafts drop off the bottom and every once in awhile you get a fire under the hood, but I’ve never seen an accident like that," Holben said. "It was awful, one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen."
Emergency personnel responded immediately and transported the driver to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Fair President David Kuntzman told News 5 their safety protocols worked, and they're lucky no one was behind the barrier when it happened. They're auditing what happened and what to do going forward.
"The driver had major scuffs and bruises [which] was such a relief," he said. "In this case here, the sled stopped like it was supposed to. Other than that, they’re investigating."
As a result, Friday's Truck and Tractor Pull event has been canceled so crews can repair the barrier in time for Saturday's events.
"The safety of our exhibitors, competitors, guests, volunteers, and everyone who attends the Portage County Randolph Fair is of the utmost importance to us," a news release said. "We are grateful to the emergency responders and event personnel who responded quickly and professionally."
Clay LePard is the Ashtabula, Geauga and Portage counties reporter at News 5 Cleveland. Follow him on X @ClayLePard, on Facebook ClayLePardTV or email him at Clay.LePard@wews.com.
