Indiana State Police (ISP) are investigating after encountering an overweight box truck with a blown tire hauling hundreds of pounds of unrefrigerated perishable food and untaxed alcoholic beverages.

The incident began on Friday, April 29, in Jackson County, Indiana.

Around 2:30 p.m., a motorist reported a box truck with a blown tire traveling north on I-65 near mile marker 50. The motorist told police that the box truck was throwing debris into the path of other drivers. The motorist also said that the box truck was leaning to the side, causing the box truck driver to struggle to control the vehicle.

ISP caught up with the box truck near mile marker 52 after the truck bypassed the I-65 Northbound Scales, just north of the Seymour exit.

When troopers inspected the truck, they learned that it was “heavily loaded” with unrefrigerated and contained fruits, vegetables, fish, and alcoholic beverages from Miami, Florida headed for a destination in Indianapolis.

When Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Inspectors arrived on scene, they determined that the truck weighed approximately 15,000 pounds more than is allowable by law. The box truck was impounded.

The Jackson County Health Department was also contacted. On Saturday, April 30 and Monday, May 2, the food on the vehicle was offloaded. The Jackson County Health Department oversaw the destruction of approximately 200 pounds of fish and 400 bags of vegetables that were not properly refrigerated.

Additionally, the Indiana State Excise Police obtained a search warrant to confiscate untaxed alcoholic beverages located in the truck. Police seized approximately 400 cases of untaxed beer.

According to ISP, “The driver of the vehicle, a Florida resident, received citations related to transporting perishable foods in excess of acceptable temperatures and not having a required logbook. Numerous other motor carrier violations were noted on an inspection report. The driver was then released with the truck containing the remaining food items he was permitted to possess.”

The incident remains under investigation.