Driver dead after tanker overturns on I-64

The driver of a tanker truck that was traveling westbound on Interstate 64 Thursday evening is dead following a crash that caused the truck to overturn.

Dozens of police, fire, paramedic and other emergency vehicles surrounded the truck, which came to rest upside down off to the right side of westbound I-64. The cab sustained heavy front end damage. Markings on the truck indicated it was owned by Allentown, Pa.-based Air Products and Chemicals.

The crash occurred in the westbound lanes of I-64 east of the Illinois 158 interchange around 7:30 p.m. According to Illinois State Police Trooper Calvin Dye Jr., motorists reported seeing the tanker weaving in and out of traffic and striking construction barrels. The crash closed the interstate in both directions.

Emergency radio transmissions initially indicated the truck was leaking liquid nitrogen, but Dye said the truck never leaked. He said the St. Clair County Special Emergency Services hazardous materials team would remain on scene while crews turned the truck upright in case it began to leak.

Eastbound lanes were reopened by 9 p.m., but emergency crews warned that westbound lanes would remain closed for several hours.

Return to BND.com for more on this developing story.

This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 8:04 PM with the headline "Driver dead after tanker overturns on I-64."