Truck driver dies after leaping from burning semi, Arizona DPS confirms
A truck driver lost his life after jumping from a moving semi truck that suffered a mechanical malfunction on Thursday, according to Arizona authorities.
The incident occurred around 5:40 a.m. near Payson, Arizona.
CLOSED: SR 87 NB is closed at milepost due to a crash. There is no estimated reopening time. #aztraffic pic.twitter.com/03ro7ZTUMn
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) August 26, 2021
Arizona Department of Public Safety representative Bart Graves said that there was a single vehicle crash on State Route 87 at mile marker 226.
“An adult male driver of a semi-truck experienced a mechanical issue which resulted in a vehicle fire. The driver jumped from the moving semi-truck and suffered fatal injuries,” Graves told CDLLife.
The identity of the driver has not been released pending the notification of next of kin.
The incident caused significant traffic delays for drivers.
That’s what I was concerned about. Do we know what the accident is? From my vantage point I only see the line of vehicles in front… It s a long line behind me as well..can’t believe I even have service pic.twitter.com/YiqaLBqUTY
— James West (@Ctown_AZ) August 26, 2021