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Officials Working To Identify Semi Driver Killed In Firey Crash

Last updated on Friday, October 12, 2012

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Crews have removed what was left of the semi involved in the accident along Interstate 74.

Fox59 News reports, the identity of the driver is still a mystery. An autopsy is set for Friday to hopefully figure out who was behind the wheel during the accident that shut down the entire interstate.

It all started with a loud explosion, then there were flames. A witness called 911


Lora Anderson told police the explosion rattled her windows and when she looked outside she saw smoke from the burning diesel fuel filling the sky.
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According to Indiana State Police, the driver of a semi gradually moved from the right lane to the left. A witness said the semi driver may have been asleep at the wheel. The semi driver nudged another car, then over-corrected.

ISP Sergeant Rich Myers said the semi tanker flipped up in the air and landed on its side on the roadway and burst into flames.

The driver died almost instantly.

Myers said the fire burned everything beyond recognition.

The stretch of I-74 was in such bad shape it took several hours to repair it.

"It was a hot one," said Sgt. Myers. "The road is completely used up in that area. It is almost down to rock it was so hot."

The driver of the other car involved, 71-year-old Tharen White of Carmel, pulled over to the shoulder. The car he was driving was also burned, but White was able to make it out of the vehicle.

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