WEST OTTER LAKE, IN (WTVB) – A semi burst into flames after it crashed on U.S. 20 near West Otter Lake in Steuben County on Monday night which forced a shut down of the road in both directions.
The Indiana State Police say according to their preliminary investigation, it appears that a 2015 Western Star semi-tractor/trailer was traveling west at a speed too fast to maintain control as it negotiated the curves on U.S. 20 near County Road 900 West.
The crash took place at about 6:30 p.m. and resulted in the 40,000 pound load of steel being strewn all across both lanes of U.S. 20 and into the side ditches.
A pierced fuel tank led to a fuel spill. The semi caught fire as the driver, 58-year-old Duvall Arnold of Florida, was exiting through the windshield and was fully engulfed by the time fire crews arrived.
The road had to be shut down as crews worked to clean up the debris.
Arnold suffered only minor injuries during the crash and refused any medical treatment at the scene. He was cited for the alleged speeding violation.
Troopers were assisted by the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, the Orland Fire Department, Steuben County EMS, INDOT, Steuben County EMA, and Bill’s Professional Towing.
This remains an active crash investigation.
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