UPDATED: One driver dies, another clings to life after fiery I-75 crash

An out-of-state truck driver died in a crash along I-75 late Monday morning in an accident some officials are calling one of the worst, if not the worst, to hit Whitley County in recent years.

Kentucky State Police Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Sgt. Brian Jackson said that the crash happened shortly before 11 a.m. near the 14-mile marker just north of Williamsburg.

A tractor-trailer was traveling northbound when for an unknown reason it crossed the median into the southbound lane and struck another tractor-trailer head-on, Jackson said.

The impact caused a large explosion, according to Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley.

"Witnesses that were close to the accident said the vehicle just kind of veered to the left, crossed the median, and struck the other vehicle head-on. At this point we have no idea why it did," Jackson said. "Both vehicles were engulfed in flames. We had a lot of diesel fuel and oils and things like that, which were flammable."

Bystanders and first responders at the scene pulled the driver of the southbound tractor-trailer from the wreckage.
He was flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment, but his condition is unknown, Jackson said early Monday afternoon.

Croley pronounced the driver of the northbound truck, which was hauling tombstones, dead at the scene.

"The deceased was ejected with his cab over the embankment approximately 80 feet. It burst into flames. He died due to thermal injuries and injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident," Croley said. "At this point, we can’t identify him until we can medically and scientifically prove it."

He said dental records and some items with the victim might be used to help identify him.

Jackson declined to release any details about the deceased driver, but did confirm that the driver wasn’t from Kentucky.

The two drivers were the only occupants in either vehicle.

No drug or alcohol involvement is suspected, but a routine toxicology test will be done on the deceased driver, whose body has been sent to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort for autopsy, Croley said.

"There are no obvious contributing factors. The weather wasn’t a factor. The roadway wasn’t a factor. I don’t know if his load shifted at this point," Croley said.

Vehicle Enforcement Reconstructionist Greg Reams is investigating the crash.

The accident tied up traffic for several hours as emergency officials embarked on a "massive" clean-up effort to clear the interstate, Jackson said.

Agencies assisting at the scene included: Williamsburg Police Department, Williamsburg Fire Department, Woodbine, Oak Grove, Emlyn and 3-Point volunteer fire departments, Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, Whitley County EMS, Kentucky Division of Emergency Management and Whitley County Emergency Management among others.