CHARLESTON - A semitruck was damaged Monday morning when it struck a 170-foot wind turbine blade being hauled on Illinois 130 on the north side of Charleston.

No injuries were reported as a result of the collision that occurred shortly after 11 a.m. at Illinois 130 and 7th Street.

Lt. John Bennett of the Charleston Police Department said the collision occurred after the westbound truck driver hauling the wind turbine blade on a telescoping trailer stopped to adjust the load before turning north. The wind turbine blade extended several feet beyond the back of the telescoping trailer.

Bennett said the driver of a westbound semitruck attempted to pass the stopped vehicle and misjudged the length of the wind turbine blade. He said the semitruck's cab passed underneath the blade, but the cargo trailer struck the tip of the blade. Part of the top of the trailer was sliced off by the turbine blade.

The collision pushed the wind turbine blade forward on the cradle that was holding it in place on the telescoping trailer, Bennett said. A crane was brought in to put the blade back into a secure position on the cradle. The damaged semitruck had to be towed from the scene.

Police officers were on the scene until 2:45 p.m. and Illinois 130 was closed to traffic while the crane was in operation.

The driver of the semitruck, Richard L. Burton, 65, of Fisher, was ticketed for improper passing.