Driver dies when truck runs off road and explodes
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
The explosion of a gasoline tanker truck on the Interstate 530 bypass around Pine Bluff has killed the
truck`s driver and forced closure of the highway for several hours Saturday.
51-year-old James Hurley died in the accident Saturday afternoon.
The accident occurred about four p-m in the southbound lanes of I-530, near the U-S 79 exit on the city`s southwest side.
Wally Hunt, coordinator of the Jefferson County Office of
Emergency Management, said it wasn`t clear how or why the accident
occurred.
Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles. The explosion and
flames ignited fires in nearby woods and the median that had to be
extinguished. Onlookers climbed the freeway`s embankment to get a
closer view.
I-530 was closed in both directions for about four hours,
reopening shortly after eight p-m Saturday night.
