The driver of a tractor trailer was killed Wednesda when his rig crashed into a river alongside Interstate 40/85. (FOX8 News / January 27, 2010)
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GRAHAM, N.C. -
The driver of a tractor trailer was killed Wednesday when his rig ran off the side of the highway, submerging the cab in a river.
A North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper identified the driver as Graig Jay Lesouine, 55, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
The cause of the crash had not been identified Wednesday afternoon, but the trooper said he doesn't believe alcohol, speed or weather played a role. Lesouine was not wearing a seat belt, the highway patrol said.
According to the trooper, the truck ran off the right side of the southbound lanes of Interstate 85/40 around 8:15 a.m., crashed into several traffic signs and trees before landing in the river. The truck, which was carrying bottles of water, went down an embankment near Jimmie Kerr Rd. that dropped about 20 feet below the surface of the road.
A trooper and some witnesses yelled for the driver without response and a dive team was called but couldn't locate the driver.
At 12:45 p.m., the driver's body was pulled from the water.
The spokesman said a state environmental agency has been called in to help clean up fuel and oil that spilled into the river.
Two lanes of the highway were closed for several hours as crews worked to clear the wreck.
A North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper identified the driver as Graig Jay Lesouine, 55, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
The cause of the crash had not been identified Wednesday afternoon, but the trooper said he doesn't believe alcohol, speed or weather played a role. Lesouine was not wearing a seat belt, the highway patrol said.
According to the trooper, the truck ran off the right side of the southbound lanes of Interstate 85/40 around 8:15 a.m., crashed into several traffic signs and trees before landing in the river. The truck, which was carrying bottles of water, went down an embankment near Jimmie Kerr Rd. that dropped about 20 feet below the surface of the road.
A trooper and some witnesses yelled for the driver without response and a dive team was called but couldn't locate the driver.
At 12:45 p.m., the driver's body was pulled from the water.
The spokesman said a state environmental agency has been called in to help clean up fuel and oil that spilled into the river.
Two lanes of the highway were closed for several hours as crews worked to clear the wreck.
