Autopsy Planned for Driver of Overturned 18-Wheeler
Overturned tractor-trailer burst into flames on I-85 SB early Wednesday morning
The body of the driver of a tractor trailer that overturned Wednesday morning on I-85 in Franklin County has been sent for autopsy.
The driver of the big rig was found dead at the scene. However, it is not clear yet whether he died as a result of the accident.
His name is being withheld until the autopsy is completed.
It happened just before 6a Wednesday morning near mile marker 172 in the southbound lane of I-85.
“For reasons unknown, the tractor-trailer left the roadway and went into some woods, striking several trees, where it overturned and caught fire,” said Georgia State Patrol Trooper Richard Fleming. “The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Fleming said no other vehicles were involved as reported earlier.
“The impact did cause some trees to go down into the lanes of traffic, but no other vehicles were involved,” he said late Wednesday.
Lavonia Fire Chief Scott O’Barr said three volunteer fire stations worked the scene for over five hours trying to put out the fire, which had also spread into the woods.
“We had three (fire) departments on scene, ourselves, Line Volunteer Fire Department, and Red Hill Fire Department,” O’Barr said. “Red Hill brought their tanker truck and Line brought their tanker truck and engine, and we had our engine and rescue truck on scene. The fire department and emergency services were there for about five hours. We stayed until we got the fire under control and we felt we could leave and it would be safe.”
The fire also spread into the woods where the vehicles came to rest.
“That fire was very minor. It was about 15-20 feet around the truck in the woods and was started by the truck fire,” O’Barr said. “Initially it took us about 25-30 minutes to get the initial fire out. And then we had trouble accessing above the wreckage and in the trailer because of the downed trees and other debris that was causing a hazard for the firefighters. We couldn’t get to those areas because of the danger of trees falling on us.”
Both lanes of I-85 SB were shut down at exit 173. One lane of traffic was opened later Wednesday morning, but traffic remained backed up until both lanes were re-opened around 3p, Fleming said.
More on this story as details become available.