Part of Interstate 40 in Sampson County will remain closed until about noon Wednesday after a crash caused a tractor-trailer to explode.
Sky 5 flew over the scene near Faison around 6:50 a.m. Tuesday. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said a single tractor-trailer carrying fuel hit a slower-moving passenger vehicle in the eastbound lane. The impact caused the tractor-trailer to overturn, but only minor damage at the time.
A pickup truck crashed into the tractor-trailer, causing the fire. A box truck crashed into the median while swerving to avoid the damage.
The closure shut down the road at Exit 355 in both directions. The eastbound lanes from Exit 348 to Exit 355 were expected to remain closed through Wednesday at noon.
The North Carolina Regional Hazmat Team and Eastern Environmental Services were working to repair the road on Tuesday.
The driver of the overturned tractor-trailer was airlifted from the scene with injuries. Three other drivers were taken by ground to local hospitals with minor injuries.
Drivers in the area should take a detour
NCDOT has a detour established and is clearly marked with electronic road signs. Detour is as follows: Exit 348, travel east on Suttontown Road to Highway 50, take Highway 50 south to US 117 Connector to I 40.