Semi accident report finalized
Published 4:00 am Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Shortly after noon on Friday, July 31, a Transland semi-truck out of Springfield, Mo., overturned on the curve just above both the library and The Learning Center. The main finding was that it was speeding related – driving “too fast for conditions.”
Trooper Jared Curtis conducted and has concluded the accident investigation. According to his report, number 202613616ASP, there was no indication of drug or alcohol involvement, so no test was conducted.
Furthermore, the truck, a 2022 International Harvester, and the 2027 53’ trailer it was towing, had “no noted defects”. Additionally, the weather conditions did not appear to play a role, with the temperature being 90 degrees, an 8 mph WSW wind, and a cloudy sky with no precipitation.
Beyond all the warning signs and the mandatory truck brake check, Curtis wrote, “In the area where the accident occurred, the roadway is made up of asphalt with a a coating of a high friction surface treatment (HFST). (HFST involves the application of very high-quality aggregate to the pavement using a polymer binder to restore and/or maintain pavement friction at existing or potentially high crash areas. The higher pavement friction helps motorists maintain better control in both dry and wet driving conditions).”
Measurements taken at the scene included 300’ of skid marks and 90’ of scratch marks. Given all these factors, the cause was stated to be “unsafe operation – inattentive, careless, negligent, or erratic operation”
According to Curtis, this is how the accident occurred, “Vehicle one was traveling northbound on State Highway 7 near Newton County Road 6015. V1 began to maneuver the curve right when the rear of the trailer it was pulling crossed into the southbound lane of State Highway 7, doing an approximate ¼ turn clockwise, and overturned onto its left side. The trailer continued into the west roadside ditch, striking a tree with its rear. As the trailer entered the west roadside, the cab of V1 had traveled into the west roadside ditch, striking multiple trees before coming to final rest on its passenger side facing northeast.”
As previously reported, Jasper mayor Mike Thomas requested ARDoT consider implementing additional safety measures in that area shortly after the accident. ARDoT is assessing the location and will notify him of their conclusion.
The driver, John Balzhiser, 64, from Oklahoma, was airlifted to Cox South in Springfield, with all current indications being that he survived and is retiring.
