Gas tanker in fiery Beltline wreck
Published: Tue, Aug. 26, 2008 03:15AM
Modified Tue, Aug. 26, 2008 10:48AM
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closeRALEIGH -- A tanker hauling gasoline burst into flames on Raleigh's Interstate 440 Beltline early today after the driver lost control of the vehicle, which flipped on its side, slid across the highway and became upright again.
The driver, Anthony White, 48, of Graham was in critical condition this morning at UNC Hospitals.
The accident occurred about 12:50 a.m. as the tanker was was merging from I-40 onto westbound I-440, according to a report prepared by police officer M.C. Rominski. A witness told the officer that the tanker was speeding when the driver lost control. The vehicle then left the road and entered the grassy island at the interchange. It then flipped on its side, slid across the highway, flipped upright again and erupted in flames, according to the report.
White, the driver, was ejected.
The tanker was owned by Erwin Oil Co. of Durham.
The intense blaze scorched several trees along the side of the road near where Interstates 40 and 440 split between Rock Quarry Road and Poole Road.
The wreck closed the I-440 Inner Beltline near Poole Road for several hours. The highway reopened this morning.
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