Truck driver killed in fiery crash on Interstate 95 in North Carolina

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — The driver of a tractor-trailer was killed Wednesday night in an explosive crash that shut down northbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Cumberland County.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, troopers responded to a single-vehicle collision on I-95 North near mile marker 66 around 7:26 p.m.

The tractor-trailer involved was heading north in the right lane when the driver lost control, veered to the left across the other northbound lanes and struck the center jersey barrier. As a result of the impact, the fuel tank exploded and caused a fire, highway patrol said.

The driver, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, died on the scene, according to troopers. The driver has not yet been identified.

The crash closed the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 north of Fayetteville for some time Wednesday night. However, as of 10 p.m., troopers said the right lane and shoulder have since reopened to traffic.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s live traffic map in the hour after the crash, I-95 North was closed near mile marker 64 near Falcon in Cumberland County. The NCDOT’s traffic alert said the road was closed about three miles after the Wade-Stedman Road exit (Exit 61).

Motorists were asked to detour around the closure by taking the Wade-Stedman Road exit, going left, then turning right on U.S. 301 North, right on N.C. 82 East, and left to get back on I-95 North.

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