Nov. 03--A semitrailer carrying 8,000 gallons became engulfed in flames Saturday morning after investigators said the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel on Interstate 40 east of Grants.
The driver, 33-year-old Dennis Pritchard of Rio Rancho, was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital with non-life threatening injuries as his semitrailer sat overturned on the highway and burning for more than two hours, according to State Police.
The interstate was closed in both directions as the fire burned up the gasoline. Damage was done to both sides of the roadway, so the state Department of Transportation has reduced the speed limit there to 65 mph as crews work to repair the damage.
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Copyright 2012 - Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
