North Carolina Tanker Accident Shuts Down Interstate 95

SMITHFIELD, N.C. (AP) -- A tractor-trailer rolled over and caught fire Monday on Interstate 95, killing the driver and closing down one of the busiest corridors on the East Coast, authorities said.

The truck burned for several hours after the midmorning accident in the northbound lanes of I-95. Those lanes were to remain closed until at least Tuesday afternoon, the Highway Patrol said, while the southbound lanes had reopened.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the driver lost control of his tractor-trailer as he was merging onto I-95. Troopers believe speed may have been a factor.

The driver, Carroll R. Langston, 61, of Clayton, died Monday night at UNC Hospital's Burn Center, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

The tanker is registered to Daughtry Oil Co. of Rocky Mount.