Truck driver who spilled hot dog filler on I-70 will be charged, police say

A tractor-trailer driver who crashed on Interstate 70 in Rostraver, spilling more than seven tons of hot dog filler on the highway and snarling traffic for five hours Friday, will receive multiple citations — including one for speeding, police said.

Makendy Lachald, 30, of Laurel, Del., was speeding westbound near milepost 43 at 6:40 p.m. when he lost control of the truck, drove off the right shoulder of the highway and crashed, Trooper Tyler Martier said in an accident report.

Lachald’s 2004 Freightliner had faulty brakes and didn’t stop until it hit several trees, police said.

“Due to the violent stopping motion of (the tractor trailer) … the trailer became dislodged, causing approximately 15,000 pounds of hot dog filler to catapult on to the roadway,” Martier wrote.

The highway was reduced to one lane until 11:30 p.m. while first responders cleared the debris.

“Further investigation after the crash revealed that multiple brakes on the vehicle were completely inoperable, resulting in a total loss of stopping power,” Martier wrote.

Lachald and a passenger, Robert Gilles, 42, also of Laurel, Del., were treated for minor injuries at the scene, and refused transport to an area hospital.

Lachald could not be reached for comment. His destination was not listed in the police report.