NEW VINEYARD — The driver of a tractor-trailer received minor injuries when he lost control on the slushy road Sunday.

Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols said the tractor-trailer was heading north on Route 27 at 12:40 p.m. Sunday. It went off the road on the right and hit a tree.

A tree branch went through the driver’s window and struck the steering column, destroying it, he said.

The driver, Evert Mayorga-Torres, 50, of New Jersey, had minor injuries to his hand and refused medical treatment, Nichols said. He was driving for Freedom Carrier Corp of New Jersey.

The truck was hauling an enclosed empty box trailer.

Nichols was assisted at the scene by Cpl. Nathan Bean and the New Vineyard Fire Department. Dutch Gap Auto towed the truck.

abryant@sunjournal.com