A driver narrowly avoided getting crushed by a semi truck on the St. John’s Bridge Thursday afternoon, police said.

The tire of a semi truck carrying a large load of scrap metal hit a curb, causing the truck to lose balance, said Sgt. Brian Schmautz, spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau.

Subaru driver Seth Gross, 34, was stopped in traffic and quickly put his car into reverse when he saw the semi start to fall on his vehicle, according to Schmautz.

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“Luckily, Gross was able to back up enough to avoid being crushed by the truck,” Schmautz said.

The driver of the truck was identified as 57-year-old Denise Hawkins. She was cited for careless driving.