For over 18 hours Tuesday, eastbound traffic on Interstate 10 was diverted through Rayne as State Police closed down the eastbound lane after an 18-wheel tractor-trailer rolled over into the south side ditch between Rayne and Duson at 5:30 a.m.

In addition to the State Police, members of the Rayne Police Department and Fire Department and a hazmat teams from Houston and State Police responded to the emergency. The clean-up crews off-loaded the chemical from the overturned truck.

Because the accident occurred within Rayne’s city limits, the Rayne Police are investigating the incident.

Police Chief Carroll Stelly reported by cell phone from the accident scene Tuesday afternoon that the driver suffered minor injuries, was hospitalized and released. He identified the truck as operated by Enterprise Trucking Company believed out of Houston, Texas.

The tanker truck was transporting ethylene amine, a chemical used in a variety of products including asphalt, bleach, fabric softener, fungicides, plastic lubricants and other items.

With eastbound traffic backed up beyond Crowley, Rayne police adjusted traffic signals, barricaded some adjoining side streets to cross traffic and posted officers at major intersections to direct the diverted vehicles.

The eastbound lane was reopened to traffic after 10 p.m., according to Chief Stelly.

Regarding the unfortunate situation and subsequent unbroken line of traffic through the city, Chief Stelly thanked local citizens for their patience and understanding during the major traffic delays.