Witness spotted brake fire before big rig crash that spilled 40K pounds of bentonite

The Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) is investigating a single vehicle injury crash that occurred on a mountain highway earlier this month.

The crash occurred on the afternoon of October 5 on U.S. Highway 16 West near Buffalo.

Texas-based truck driver Ariel Crespo Sori, 51, was hauling a load of 48,000 pounds of bentonite when he lost control near mile marker 86.

The truck overturned near the Mosier Gulch trailhead and Crespo Sori was ejected from the vehicle.

After the truck overturned, thousands of pounds of bentonite spilled out onto the roadway and surrounding areas.

The Buffalo Bulletin reports that a witness saw the truck’s brakes on fire prior to the crash. The outlet also reports that Crespo Sori bypassed a brake check area near Grouse Mountain.

Crespo Sori survived the crash and was airlifted to a hospital for treatment.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol cited Crespo Sori for suspicion of reckless driving.

The crash remains under investigation.