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Published: 2009-07-09 08:52:00
Updated: 2009-07-09 11:02:48

Posted: July 9, 2009

Jeep bursts into flames on I-540

car on 540

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Raleigh, N.C. — Emergency crews blocked the right lanes of Interstate 540 east Thursday morning after a Jeep Grand Cherokee burst into flames on the shoulder near Aviation Parkway. The road was reopened by 10:30 a.m.

James High Jr., of Nashville, told troopers he noticed smoke coming from under his hood and he pulled over on the shoulder. As soon as he got out, the Jeep caught on fire and was engulfed in flames.

High was the only person in the vehicle and was not injured, according to Trooper Andrew Knight. Authorities said they do not know why the Jeep caught on fire.

People driving by the scene shot video and snapped pictures of flames coming from the vehicle and smoke billowing in the air.

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

72 Comments


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Latest Comments
nice pics and video. Glad I wasnt in the traffic or the grand cherokee.
LocalYokel
July 9, 2009 7:27 p.m.
Im very glad the driver was not hurt, it could have been a huge tragedy. Would like to know the cause though, as we have a jeep too.
Click to view my profile shortcake53
July 9, 2009 5:37 p.m.
Fun day for rubbernecks.
ThatsRight
July 9, 2009 5:27 p.m.
On the speculation as to cause of the fire, it could be so many things. One thing in these latest generation cars (past the 80's) are the injectors, they can leak and it's raw gas if it does. Chrysler had a recall on fuel injectors on late 90's model cars, not sure if it included the Jeeps though.
Click to view my profile Nancy
July 9, 2009 5:16 p.m.
I saw the smoke coming from the car when I was on 540 West this morning. It was on fire before he stopped. I got a clear view of the underside of his car flaming before he even started to slow down and pull over. I was wondering how he could still be driving like that and his car be on fire and the driver not seem to really notice. I was glad to see him pulling over just before I lost site of him as I took the exit to 40.
bresilver
July 9, 2009 4:31 p.m.
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