MOUNT VERNON — A Missouri truck driver was injured in an incident Friday afternoon on Interstate 57 in Mt. Vernon that’s being blamed on a flying tire.

Reports indicate the incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. Friday just south of the Veterans Memorial Drive exit near I-57 and I-64 and resulted in a lengthy traffic backup.

The truck’s driver was reportedly traveling northbound and struck the tire from a southbound semi causing him to lose control of his vehicle, run off the east side of the road, go through a ditch, travel several yards through the brush, down an embankment, and come to a stop at the edge of a containment pond.

Due to the terrain of that area, Mt. Vernon Fire said firefighters from Jefferson and Waltonville Fire Departments responded to the scene with multiple side-by-sides.

The truck’s driver, who was not identified, was taken to SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon by ambulance.

The report said the semi was not hauling any hazardous cargo.