DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. — One person died Wednesday afternoon after a tractor-trailer accident on Interstate 85 one mile north of U.S. 64, according to state troopers.
According to North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper J.W. Boozer, around 4 p.m. a tractor-trailer was traveling north in the center lane on I-85 when it veered into the left lane, running a family in a van off the road.
The tractor-trailer continued through the left lane, went off the road, up an embankment, struck a number of trees and caught on fire.
The flames spread into the woods, requiring a response from multiple fire departments to bring the fire under control.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was able to get out of the cab, but suffered severe burns and died at the scene.
The family in the van was uninjured.
Troopers believe the tractor-trailer driver was from Virginia, but they are having difficulty identifying him because of the severe burns.
All lanes have reopened Thursday morning.
