Westbound I-30 Reopens After Fiery Semi Crash

Semi loaded with chocolate

Westbound lanes of Interstate 30 in Grand Prairie have reopened after a fiery semi crash closed several lanes overnight.

The accident happened at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday in the westbound lanes of I-30 a half mile east of MacArthur Boulevard.

When Grand Prairie firefighters arrived on the scene an 18-wheeler was on fire. The driver was outside the big rig. Paramedics say he was alert and talking, he was taken to Methodist Hospital in Dallas for treatment.

Witnesses told police they saw the big rig weave and drift off the road.

Police believe the driver fell asleep, drove off the right side of the road, hit a street light and crashed  into a large light pole.

The fire burned for three hours and the Texas Department of Transportation was called out to check the stability of a large light pole and overhead sign damaged from the crash and the heat from the fire.

The trailer was loaded with chocolate. NBC 5's Jeff Smith counted at least 50 30 lbs. boxes of melted chocolate chips and brownie mix all over the embankment, that's at least 1500 lbs. of chocolate ruined.

Road crews are working to clear the debris as well as diesel from the scene.

Two lanes are getting by as of 5 a.m. No word when the entire road will reopen.

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