NTTA Camera Shows Fiery Grand Prairie Crash on President George Bush Turnpike

Driver identified as James Anthony Long of Tennessee

The North Texas Tollway Authority released video Monday that shows Saturday's fatal fiery crash on the President George Bush Turnpike underneath Interstate 30 in Grand Prairie.

James Anthony Long, 59, of Clarksville, Tenn., was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck.

Police say the rig was westbound on I-30 when it veered off the right shoulder and slammed through a guardrail and retaining wall. The tractor trailer fell onto the toll road below and burst into flames.

Police officers working at a nearby lane closure quickly arrived. The officers and stopping drivers tried to rescue Long from the truck cab but were forced back as flames consumed the cab.

The crash shut down the westbound lanes of I-30 and both directions of the turnpike for several hours Saturday.

“There are a lot of variables that could have mixed into this that could have made it more of a tragedy than it is," Grand Prairie police Detective Lyle Gensler said. "We're very thankful that when the truck veered off of I-30, it didn't hit any other cars, carrying with it to 161, so it is very unfortunate that the driver died at the scene, but it's very fortunate that others lived through this horrific incident.”

Late Saturday night, police told NBC DFW that the truck is owned by B&M Trucking of Gallatin, Tenn.

The truck was transporting a load of ceramic tile to San Diego, Calif., at the time of the crash and was filled to capacity, police said.

NBC 5's Eric King contributed to this article.

Contact Us