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Trucker survives tanker explosion that shut down two interstates

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Authorities in North Carolina were forced to shut down two major interstates for hours after a tanker truck crashed and caught fire earlier today.

The crash happened around 7:30 a.m. on December 13 in Greensboro, North Carolina, according to WBIR.

Huge gas tanker fire shut down two major interstates

Authorities say that Virginia-based truck driver Carl Wilson Throckmorton II, 40, was hauling a tanker loaded with 8500 gallons of gasoline when he hit a patch of ice on the I-73 ramp above I-85.

The tanker truck crashed off the right side of the interstate and into a snow embankment and concrete barrier. The truck soon caught fire, sending massive plumes of black smoke up into the sky.

Fortunately, Throckmorton was able to make it out of the truck. He was taken to the hospital for treatment of non life threatening injuries.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol charged Throckmorton with Exceeding Safe Speed.

The fire burned for nearly two hours before firefighters were able to put it out.

I-73 southbound remains closed near the Groometown Road exit. I-85 northbound is also closed at that location. Transportation officials say that they do not have any estimated time for the interstates to reopen. Structural engineers will need to inspect the overpass to determine whether it is safe to drive on before the interstates can reopen.

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