Coroner identifies tractor-trailer driver killed in fiery crash on I-85
Emmanuel Abeasi identified through dental records
Updated: 3:31 PM EDT Jun 15, 2017
CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C —
The Cherokee County Coroner's Office on Thursday identified the tractor-trailer driver killed in a fiery crash on Tuesday night.
Coroner Dennis Fowler said Emmanuel Owuraku Abeasi, 45, of Braselton, Georgia had to be identified using dental records.
Abeasi was an independent hauler, who had picked up a load of foam in Newnan, Georgia and was headed to New York when the collision occurred, Fowler said.
Two other people were injured in the crash, but their conditions are unknown.
The crash was reported just after 8 p.m. at mile marker 106 near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.
Fowler said Abeasi's 2007 Freightliner tractor-trailer headed north, crossed into the median, clipped the cable barrier and went into the southbound lanes.
He said the truck then T-boned another Freightliner tractor-trailer and sparked a fire that engulfed both trucks.
Fowler said he was still waiting for test results to determine the cause of Abeasi's death.
Abeasi and passenger of the southbound truck were pulled from the wreckage by a passerby; however the other driver died at the scene, according to Fowler.
In addition to damaged asphalt, about 400 feet of guardrail was also damaged, troopers said.
Troopers asked drivers to use extreme caution when approaching the work zone, and to obey all speed limit and directional signs.
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CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. -- One person was killed and two others injured after a fiery crash between two tractor-trailers near the state line Tuesday night.
Officials said the two trucks crashed head-on after one crossed the median near exit 106 in Blacksburg, S.C. A witness said he saw an 18-wheeler blow a tire, causing the driver to lose control, smashing into the other truck before bursting into flames.
"Where we were standing, you could feel the flames and you heard the tires start popping," said Gerald Richardson, who witnessed the terrifying accident.
The massive plume of smoke was visible from miles away after the crash.
"I woke up and seen a whole bunch of smoke and the whole parking lot was clouded," said truck driver Daniel Clemons. "(I) got up and saw the aftermath, it was pretty violent."
Fatal tractor trailer accident shuts down I-85.
NBC CharlottePosted by Xavier Walton WCNC on Tuesday, June 13, 2017
After hours completely engulfed in flames, firefighters were able to successfully control the blaze to begin clearing the scene.
As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, South Carolina Highway Patrol said the southbound lanes of I-85 remain closed.