Tractor-Trailer Driver Killed In Fiery I-95 Crash
BALTIMORE (WJZ) --Highway explosion. A fiery crash kills a truck driver and shuts down I-95 for nearly eight hours. Evidence of the accident is still visible on the interstate. The road is charred from the intense flames.
Monique Griego has more on the investigation, and exclusive video of the crash.
Firefighters say a tractor-trailer crashed and then burst into flames. The driver was later found dead inside.
Just before 11 p.m. Thursday, a WJZ viewer captured video of a massive fire and trail of flames on I-95 after a tractor-trailer crash caused an explosion.
"It appears that a tractor-trailer was carrying a load of lumber. It struck the barrier that separates I-95 and 395, ruptured its diesel saddle tanks and erupted into flames," said Chief Kevin Cartwright, Baltimore City Fire.
Dozens of emergency units swarmed the northbound lanes. And while firefighters quickly got the fire under control, it was too late to save the driver who was found inside the cabin.
"We were able to confirm there was a victim inside the tractor already expired," Cartwright said.
Traffic cameras showed I-95 North shut down well into the morning as crews cleaned up the crash scene.
The driver killed in the crash has been identified as Gregory Watkins of Fort Washington. The semi he was driving had Oklahoma tags.
"Fortunately no other people suffered injuries while battling this incident," Cartwright said.
Officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority are investigating what led up to the crash.
But Friday morning, the strength of the fireball it caused was obvious. A massive black burn could be seen covering several lanes of traffic on 95.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
All lanes reopened just before 7 a.m. Friday.
