XPO | i-80 ohio- conway?? more info accidents section

Startled drivers on Interstate-80 in Hubbard Township began calling Trumbull County 911 shortly after 4:30 Wednesday morning as they watched a fiery crash unfold before their eyes.

"I am going down Interstate 80 and a truck just ignited out of nowhere," one caller said.

She also told dispatchers she saw Weirick run out of the truck. She said he was on fire and was rolling on the ground.

"Just hit a bridge embankment and exploded, it exploded, yes," another caller said.

Hours later, the burned out remains of the semi, which were dangling over the side of a bridge in the westbound lanes, still remained, forcing the closure of the road.

What's amazing when you look at the wreckage is that the driver was able to get out of the cab without any serious injuries.

Eagle Joint Fire District Chief John Clemente said when he arrived at the scene just before 5 a.m., the tractor trailer, which was being driven by Robert Weirick, 58, of Youngstown, was engulfed. He heard two explosions as he was walking to the truck and said Weirick was lying on the road.

"We don't know how he got out of there," said Clemente. "I'd like to know how."

Weirick was driving from Clearfield, Pa. to Lordstown when the crash happened. He was taken to the hospital for treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.

Part of the trailer fell off of the bridge and Youngstown firefighters brought in equipment to help lift the wreckage. The driver was hauling ethanol, propane and other petroleum-based materials.

"We had half our crew, two trucks up on the the highway here, and two underneath fighting it off of Mount Everett on rail track, and we brought in other truck for back up," said Eagle Joint Fire District Chief John Clemente.

Trumbull County Hazmat officials helped determine exactly what the truck was carrying.

"We also have four containers of propane, which is what the fire chief heard when he got on the scene, explosions, which was the propane. They also had a container of petroleum grease and related products," said Hazmat Chief Don Waldron.

Officials are still investigating what caused the crash. While police originally said another vehicle was involved, they later confirmed the accident only involved the semi.

I need a link to the accident or I will delete your post
 
Driver is OK, that's good. Luckily he didn't have to rely on the guy that was sending help 200 miles from the wreck or the woman who had no idea where she was and saw a guy on fire, but kinda lost track of where he went. Some people try, but just don't handle emergencies very well.
 
Top