Article published June 08, 2009
Truck driver dead after rig crashes, burns on turnpike
SWANTON — A tractor-trailer driver was killed when his rig crashed and burned on the Ohio Turnpike here last evening.
The turnpike’s eastbound lanes were closed indefinitely pending an inspection of a bridge over State Rt. 64 upon which the crash occurred.
The driver was not immediately identified, and it was unknown whether any passengers were aboard the truck when it crashed into the guardrail along the eastbound right shoulder, then struck the end of the bridge’s parapet wall and overturned.
The crash was reported at 7:37 p.m., and flames quickly consumed the truck’s cab and part of its load of bottled margarita mix.
The toll road’s westbound lanes were closed for about an hour during the firefighting effort.
No estimate was given as to when the eastbound side might reopen.
Stephanie Garee, an East Toledo resident who was driving on Route 64 when she heard the truck “screeching” along the guardrail above her, said the rig erupted into flames almost immediately.
“It was like boom, flash, it was up [on fire],” agreed her daughter, Ambrosia McKeen, who was riding with her.
Some of the Swift Transportation Corp. semi’s load spilled over the side of the bridge, but none of the burning debris landed on Route 64.
Eastbound turnpike traffic was detoured at State Rt. 109, near Delta, until the bridge was assessed and, if necessary, repaired.
A detour was posted via U.S. 20A/State Rt. 2 to the turnpike entrance at Toledo Express Airport.
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