Driver of Tractor-Trailer Dies in Fiery Crash on I-85 Wednesday Night

It could be a couple of days before authorities in Hart County can positively identify the driver of an 18-wheeler who died when his truck ran off the road on I-85 Southbound Wednesday afternoon.

It happened about 5p Wednesday just south of the 177 southbound on-ramp.

Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland said last night they’re not sure why the truck ran off the road.

“We don’t know. He just left the road. There doesn’t seem to be any brake marks. You can assume that he went to sleep or maybe even have had a heart attack, who knows. It appears he didn’t hit the brakes and he left the road and went several hundred feet into the woods. He was hauling plastic and everything caught fire.  It’s just been hell trying to put the fire out enough to get to the cab to get him out,” Cleveland said Wednesday night.

Firefighters from Lavonia, Hart County, Line, and other local fire departments were on the scene within minutes, along with EMS, rescue trucks, and crews with the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Several water trucks had to be brought in to fight the blaze and according to Sheriff Cleveland, flames from the fire were so hot several firefighters fell out with heat exhaustion and had to be revived by EMTs.

The Sheriff said Thursday morning that they think they know who the victim was and they have contacted family members. However, the medical examiner will have to use dental records to make a positive ID.  After that, the victim’s name will be released.

Traffic on 85 SB was backed up into South Carolina for hours while crews worked to put out the fire and remove the driver’s body.