BIENVILLE PARISH, La. (KSLA) — A Shreveport man is the truck driver who died when his tanker hauling diesel drifted off the roadway, struck a concrete bridge railing, overturned and caught fire.
Killed in the wreck Tuesday, Dec. 29, was 42-year-old Antonio Thornton, according to Louisiana State Police.
His 2012 Peterbilt tractor-trailer wrecked shortly after 4 a.m. at mile marker 56 on westbound Interstate 20 in Bienville Parish.
A toxicology sample was obtained and submitted for analysis.
“While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state,” Trooper First Class Brent Hardy said. “Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving.”
The wreck forced the closure of that section of east- and westbound Interstate 20. The eastbound lanes have since been reopened. Westbound I-20 was reopened around 7:15 a.m. Wednesday morning.
And one trooper who had responded to the accident had to bail out of his car and jump behind a concrete barrier when another 18-wheeler plowed into his car.
Meantime, motorists are being urged to use caution as crews continue to work to clear the scene.
Louisiana State Police Troop G has investigated 28 fatal crashes resulting in 34 deaths this year.
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