LAKEWOOD, COLORADO — A semi-truck driver escaped injury Thursday afternoon after strong winds pushed a tractor-trailer off C-470 and down an embankment, leaving the cab partially in the water at Little Soda Lake, according to the Lakewood Police Department and West Metro Fire Rescue.

^{Photo credit: West Metro Fire Rescue}

Lakewood police said the semi, which was hauling a trailer, was traveling on westbound C-470 when it was blown off the roadway near the Morrison Road area and slid down an embankment. Authorities said the truck jackknifed but did not roll over, and the cab was not submerged.

^{Photo credit: West Metro Fire Rescue}

Police said the cab came to rest partially in Little Soda Lake, and the driver was evaluated by paramedics and was not injured.

West Metro Fire Rescue said removing the truck from the lake will take significant time and will require a large tow truck.

Officials urged drivers to use caution due to high winds. The National Weather Service reported west-northwest winds in the area in the 16–21 mph range with gusts as high as 32 mph at the time, and much of Colorado was under elevated fire weather alerts, according to the report.

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