A truck pulling two trailers filled with 11,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel flipped and burned Tuesday afternoon south of Cedar City, temporarily stalling traffic on Interstate 15.
Thomas Pierpont, 56, Parowan, was driving the Jenkins Oil Co. truck about 4:20 p.m. near the Kolob exit when a spare tire rim fell off the top of a trailer.The rim apparently hit the wheels of the rear trailer, causing it to overturn and burst into flames. Pierpont managed to escape the truck, which burned until only the axles, engine and frame were left, said Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Chad Young.
Northbound traffic was at a standstill for two hours, and southbound traffic for about one hour.
The truck was a total loss. Damage to the highway and roadside culvert was estimated at $15,000.