LAKE STATION, Ind. — A semi-truck carrying U.S. mail and postal packages split open in a crash early Thursday morning on a major interchange ramp in northwest Indiana, spilling packages across the roadway and forcing traffic diversions for several hours, according to Indiana State Police.

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ISP said the crash happened at about 4:15 a.m. on the ramp from northbound I-65 to eastbound I-80/94. Troopers said the semi struck a pole, causing the trailer to split open and scatter mail and packages along the ramp. Another report described the crash location in the northbound I-65 lanes near the ramp toward I-94 along the Lake Station/Gary area, where motorists encountered significant slowdowns ahead of the morning commute.

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Because of the debris field and closure, troopers diverted northbound I-65 traffic onto westbound I-94. Drivers needing to reach eastbound I-94 were advised to use Ridge Road to Ripley as an alternate route. Officials initially estimated the disruption could last three to four hours.

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Aerial video from the scene showed packages scattered across the ramp as crews worked to clear the roadway. All lanes reopened by 9 a.m. Authorities have not confirmed what caused the crash, and it was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured.