Fuel tank explodes after early-morning crash on I-75 near KY/Tenn. border

Emergency officials say they are lucky that no one was killed or seriously injured when a Georgia semi collided with an Ohio van early Tuesday morning on I-75 and one of the tanks on the semi exploded.

Whitley County Emergency Management Director Danny Moses said he’s not sure of the exact extent of any injuries, but that both drivers were able to walk away.

The wreck happened shortly before 2:30 a.m. near the two-mile marker in the southbound lane.

Moses said that a van pulled over in front of a flat bed tractor trailer, which was hauling metal.

"Of course, he rear ended the van, and hit the guardrail skidding down it," Moses said. "Then he actually hit the bridge right as past the first Highway 1804.

"It knocked one tank off, and the other tank exploded. The truck burned completely. They were very lucky nobody was killed, especially the gentleman in the van."

The accident had both lanes of traffic in the southbound lane tied up until shortly before 7 a.m. when one lane opened again.
Williamsburg firefighters and police officers detoured traffic off I-75 at the 11-mile marker for several hours.

The Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division is investigating the crash.

Other agencies assisting at the scene included: Kentucky Emergency Management, Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, South Whitley Volunteer Fire Department, Bolton’s Wrecker Service and Smith’s Towing.