Texas transportation officials have reopened I-20 after a truck hauling diesel fuel caught fire and exploded near truck stop yesterday.
The incident began near a truck stop in Sweetwater, Texas, around noon yesterday, according to KCBD.
According to reports, 26-year-old Josh Winegeart of Sweetwater was hauling a tanker containing agricultural diesel fuel on I-20 when his truck blew a tire. He crashed off of the interstate and his truck caught fire. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion and seeing plumes of heavy black smoke emanating from the crashed truck.
BREAKING: Westbound I-20 at Hopkins Road in Sweetwater has reopened after that fiery crash involving a fuel truck https://t.co/AbkrGGhonK pic.twitter.com/EJWar9j9iI
— KTXS News (@KTXS_News) July 27, 2018
Winegeart was airlifted to the hospital for treatment of burns, a head injury, and broken bones.
Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control by around 1 p.m.
The incident slowed traffic on I-20 for hours, but all lanes were reopened this morning.