TUCSON, ARIZONA — A semi-truck car hauler driver was killed Wednesday after a tire blowout caused the rig to hit a guardrail, roll into the median, and catch fire on Interstate 10 in Tucson, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
The crash happened at 2:09 p.m. on May 13 on eastbound I-10 near milepost 268, near Valencia Road. AZDPS said the tractor-trailer car hauler was traveling eastbound in the left lane when it experienced a tire blowout.
Tire Blowout Led to Fatal Rollover
According to AZDPS, the blowout caused the semi-truck to strike the guardrail before it rolled into the median and caught fire.
The car hauler was carrying 10 vehicles, and authorities said all of them caught fire. Officials also confirmed that several of the vehicles were electric vehicles.
The driver was the only person inside the cab and was pronounced dead at the scene. As of the latest information provided, authorities were still working to notify the driver’s family, and the driver’s name had not been released.
Witnesses Say Driver Steered Away From Their Vehicle
Amanda and Raymond Cota said they were traveling home on I-10 when they saw the tractor-trailer’s front passenger-side tire blow out near their vehicle.
“We were right at the tire of the semi, it was right by our driver’s window when it popped,” Amanda said. “And then he just started veering towards us, and I saw him grab the wheel to correct the blowout.”
Amanda said the driver appeared to steer away from their vehicle and into the concrete median before the truck began flipping and caught fire.
“The truck just started flipping after that,” Amanda said.
The Cotas, who have three children, said they believe the driver’s final action kept the crash from hitting them.
“That just flashed before our eyes as not making it home to our babies,” Amanda said.
Fire Intensified After Crash
After the rollover, the car hauler caught fire with the loaded vehicles onboard.
The Cotas said the flames grew quickly, with repeated explosions coming from the wreckage.
“You just kept hearing explosions, after explosion, after explosion,” Amanda said. “And then the fire just kept getting bigger and bigger.”
I-10 Reopened Thursday Morning
The deadly crash and fire shut down eastbound I-10 at Valencia Road for hours while crews worked the scene, managed the fire, and cleared the wreckage.
The road reopened Thursday morning, May 14.
Raymond Cota said he is grateful for the driver’s last maneuver.
“I thank him,” Raymond said. “Because if it weren’t for those maneuvers, I don’t think we would be here talking to you right now.”
Amanda also shared a message for the driver’s family.
“My prayers go out to this family at this time of grieving,” she said.
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