|
Traffic on I-95 southbound comes to a stop in the main travel lanes and slows in the HOV lanes after a tractor-trailer crashed and caught fire in southbound lanes on the highway next to the State Route 123 bridge in Woodbridge. |
A tractor-trailer driver was killed yesterday after his cab crashed into a concrete barrier, hit an embankment and burned.
The crash caused a halt in southbound traffic on Interstate 95 at Exit 160 in Prince William County for about three hours during part of rush hour. However, restrictions on the HOV lanes were lifted during that time.
Neither the driver nor the company he was working for have been identified because the man's remains were unidentifiable, said Sgt. Terry Licklider of Virginia State Police.
"The cab burnt up and unfortunately so did he," Licklider said.
The truck, which was carrying the barrel of a tank cannon, ran off the left side of the highway, hitting the concrete, then crossed three lanes, smashing into the guardrail and the embankment, about 2 p.m, Licklider said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation came to the scene to secure any explosive material, but none was found.
Licklider said the Virginia Department of Transportation examined the Occoquan Bridge, on which State Route 123 runs, but no damage was found.
"They just came to double check," Licklider said.
The driver of the truck was the only person involved in the crash, Licklider said.
Representatives from the U.S. Army also came to the scene because the barrel was Army equipment, but Licklider said the driver is not believed to be in the military.
He said it is common for transportation of equipment to be contracted out, and the 3,500-pound barrel was hauled in a crate marked "ARMY."
This accident is the sixth major crash involving trucks that have blocked traffic on I-95 since January.
Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424