Driver killed in fiery, 18-wheeler crash that closed Lexington County highway ID’d, coroner says

Both sides of I-20 were closed Tuesday after a fatal crash involving a tractor-trailer caused a fire at about 11 a.m., according to Lexingotn County officials.

The driver of the 18-wheeler was killed in the crash according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher. Alexander Buie was pronounced dead at the scene because of injuries he suffered in the wreck.

The crash happened near mile marker 59, which is near the Sunset Boulevard exit, according to the Lexington Police Department.

According to Fisher, the 65-year-old Fayetteville, N.C. man “swerved to avoid colliding with another vehicle and lost control. The tractor-trailer left the right side of the highway and collided with trees and a fence.”

By noon, the eastbound lanes reopened and officials had put the fire out, according to a Lexington County officials. Around 2 p.m., Lexington County deputies announced all lanes had reopened.

Officials at the S.C. Department of Public Safety say the 18-wheeler was the only vehicle involved in the crash, according to a statement. Someone in the vehicle died, according to the statement, but he or she has yet to be identified.

Drivers encountered significant delays, and westbound cars were detoured at exit 61, the U.S. 378 exit, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

The deadly crash is being investigated by the highway patrol.

This story was originally published November 20, 2018 at 11:21 AM.