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Driver Breaks Jaw After Driving Off Vance County Bridge

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HENDERSON, N.C. — The driver of a tractor-trailer broke his jaw after the truck flipped over a bridge in Vance County Thursday morning.

Highway 158 has reopened to traffic after being shut down for most of Thursday morning after authorities say 61-year-old Durwood Gene Bradshaw lost control of his tractor-trailer, hit a bridge and came down on the highway around 5 a.m. When the tractor-trailer carrying frozen meat hit the ground, it burst into flames.

"We had to block off U.S. 1 northbound and southbound because of the flames and smoke," Trooper Mike Williamson said.

U.S. 1 North and South have since reopened. Crews are working to remove the dirt from the base of the bridge because they said fuel from the truck contaminated the soil. Crews say that dirt must be removed and disposed of properly. Officials say the cleanup could cost up to $15,000.

The Department of Transportation found no structural damage to the bridge.

Bradshaw was taken to Maria Parham Hospital in Henderson, where he is listed in stable condition.

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