Driver killed in fiery tractor trailer crash on I-85 near Hillsborough

A person was killed Wednesday on Interstate 85 in Orange County after a tractor trailer overturned and caught fire.

Posted 8:46 a.m. Sep 14, 2022 — Updated 8:04 p.m. Sep 14, 2022

Jessica Patrick

, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — A person was killed Wednesday on Interstate 85 in Orange County after a tractor trailer overturned and caught fire.

The crash and massive fire was reported before 2:30 a.m. close to Exit 165 for North Carolina Highway 86 near Hillsborough. Both directions of N.C. 86 were closed along with I-85 southbound.

The northbound direction of I-85 reopened within 30 minutes, but I-85 S remained closed until Wednesday around 3:30 p.m.

The N.C. 86 bridge was also closed so state Department of Transportation crews could assess structural damage to the overpass. The bridge was expected to remain closed for at least two days to ensure the structural intergrity of the bridge.

In the overnight hours, a viewer sent WRAL News a photo of the truck engulfed in flames and smoke.

Officials said the driver died in the crash. It was unclear if other cars were involved.

It was the second fiery tractor trailer crash in 12 hours. Tuesday afternoon, a truck caught fire on Interstate 95 in Dunn. The fire and explosion prompted officials to close the road and the bridge above it, which will remain shutdown until 7 a.m. Wednesday.