The driver of a tractor trailer died in a crash on Interstate 271 that sent smoke billowing into the air Tuesday morning.
The crash closed the north and southbound express lanes in Highland Heights around 9:30 a.m. near Wilson Mills Road. The express lanes were still closed in the area as of 6:30 p.m. I-271 southbound local lanes were closed for some time, but are now back open.
According to Highland Heights police, two semi-tractor trailers were involved in the collision. Both caught fire and were fully engulfed in flames.
Canada-based trucking company XTL said an 18 year veteran, Alain Leduc, died in that crash. The fire department said one of the trucks was carrying general hair care products and the other was carrying furniture.
An accident reconstruction team will work to figure out how the collision took place. Ohio Department of Transportation crews are inspecting the road before it reopens to traffic. HAZMAT was on scene to clean up spilled chemicals.
A viewer told newsnet5.com that a big boom rocked her house in Mayfield Village and, when she looked outside, she saw a large plume of smoke.
Big boom in Mayfield Village that rocked my house. Smoke is billowing. Hope ppl are okay. FYI @wkyc @WEWS pic.twitter.com/kzCCSYv7Ei
— Gina (@beautyfoodie) September 22, 2015
Another viewer said they could see the smoke as far away as Medina.
A YouTube user posted a video of the fire from the area of Highland Road. In the video, smoke can be seen billowing from the crash site.
