Loose Runaway tank trailer injures 5!!!!!!

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Runaway tank injures 5

Published: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 5:07 PM CDT

ROLLING PRAIRIE — A runaway tank with anhydrous ammonia near Rolling Prairie caused two vehicles to collide, resulting in five people being injured.

At about 5 p.m. Saturday, Raymond Rehlander, 48, 3562 N. CR-175E, told sheriff’s deputies he was westbound on U.S. 20 near CR-250E and traveling only about 25 miles per hour.

The trailer hitch on his pickup truck somehow came loose, allowing the tank he was pulling to break free and cross into the eastbound lanes, police said.

Robert Moffitt, 47, of 4083 N. CR-325W, was headed eastbound and slammed on his brakes to avoid the tank darting into his path.

Police said Moffitt’s vehicle was hit in the back by Jordan Saylor, 18, of Michigan City. A passenger in Moffitt’s vehicle, Brian Moffitt, 39, complained of back pain.

Passengers in Saylor’s vehicle, Melissa Saylor, 39, along with Breanna Saylor, 14, and Kitlyn Saylor, 11, all complained of pain to their chests, police said.

Rehlander was driving a vehicle owned by Larson-Danielson Construction, La Porte, and Co-Alliance, Rolling Prairie, was the owner of the anhydrous ammonia tank, according to police.

— From staff reports