A defective trailer resulted in a tractor-trailer rig overturning and blocking Herndon Road north of Hatch Road on Thursday morning, Nov. 15.

Driver Jose Gonzalez, 40, of Merced, was not injured in the 10:23 a.m. incident.

Gonzalez was traveling up Herndon Road at approximately 10 mph when he heard a popping sound from the trailer. He looked back to see the trailer slowly overturn onto the passenger side where the truck and trailer came to rest.

The leaf spring of the last axle of the trailer had snapped, causing another leaf spring on the axle in front of it to snap. Gonzalez stated one year prior he had similar issues with this same trailer.

Herndon Road was blocked for a time as tow operators worked to get the big rig back on its wheels.