DUBLIN – The driver of a tractor-trailer was killed when it crashed and burst into flames on a highway overpass in Dublin, shutting down a large portion of the Outerbelt for several hours Monday.
Authorities believe the driver is the only person killed in the crash, Dublin police Lt. Steve Farmer said.
The truck carrying gasoline caught fire after the driver hit a guardrail at the exit from the U.S. 33 bridge to Interstate 270. Burning gasoline then spread down the ramp. Parts of both roads were closed for a time Monday.
The black cloud could be seen miles away, billowing for almost an hour Monday morning after a deadly tanker-truck crash on a months-old ramp connecting Route 33 and Interstate 270.
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Authorities say it wasn’t immediately known how much gasoline the truck was carrying at the time. But Farmer says it could hold up to 8,000 gallons.
Police believe the truck struck a guardrail about 10:30 a.m. and flipped on its side. The heat turned the vehicle into a charred shell and melted portions of the concrete deck on the “flyover” ramp connecting motorists coming from Marysville to the eastbound lanes of Interstate 270.
“They have a pretty good idea of who was supposed to be driving. But they have not identified the victim,” said Lindsay Weisenauer, Dublin spokeswoman.
Farmer said the fire likely sparked when the truck hit the guardrail and the tanker tore open into flames. Fiery gasoline spilled down the ramp and over the side of the ramp, spawning several grass fires.
Traffic was backed up for hours after the crash, which shut down both Route 33 and I-270 in both directions.
Why the accident occurred may never be known, said Dublin police Cpl. Tom Gallagher, supervisor of crash investigations.
“I never say never. But with 100 percent certainty, it’s going to be difficult because, unfortunately, the motorist who knows the most is the decedent.”
State transportation officials say the ramp could remain closed for up to a week.