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Posted: February 20, 2008
Updated: February 21, 2008

Fiery Tractor-Trailer Crash Causes Interstate 85 Traffic Backup

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Vance County crash
Vance County crash

Henderson, N.C. — A smoldering tractor-trailer stalled traffic Wednesday night between mile markers 217 and 215 on Interstate 85 in Vance County.

Driver Milton Lewis, 54, of Virginia, said a blown tire caused him to lose control and go down an embankment just before 7 p.m.

The truck caught fire, and flames spread quickly to a load of plastic pellets in the trailer.

Traffic was backed up for 5 miles directly after the crash.

Lewis was transported to Duke University Hospital in Durham with non-life threatening injuries.

Troopers said they are investigating whether Lewis fell asleep before the crash.

RELATED TOPICS: Vance County, Durham, Duke University

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.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


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Latest Comments
IT SHOULDN'T BE HARD TO DETERMINE WHETHER A BLOWN TIRE CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. LOOK AT THE TIRES.
whocares
February 21, 2008 11:15 a.m.
Looks like it was a blown tire that caused the accident. I don't know why they would consider that he may have fallen asleep. Does a blown tire in a trailer like that cause the car to be a little out of control?
PraiseHim
February 21, 2008 10:11 a.m.
That has always been a bad strech of hwy for some reason
dogsrule12cheek
February 21, 2008 8:30 a.m.
"Troopers said they are investigating whether Lewis fell asleep before the crash." And right below that is an ad for "24 hour, Non-Drowsy relief from your allergies with Claritin." Now that has to be perfect! Kudo's to the ad placement team!
Click to view my profile oldrebel
February 21, 2008 7:51 a.m.
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