Tanker truck explosion closes I-75 south of Detroit: UPDATE

At approximately 8:15 a.m., a tanker truck driving northbound on I-75 lost control at Dearborn Ave. The tank portion of the truck went over the freeway, plunging 30-40 ft. to the ground below and exploding on impact.

The cab of the truck became lodged on the freeway barrier which prevented it from toppling over the edge. The cab continued 200 yards on I-75 North before catching fire, killing the driver. The identity of the driver has not been released pending notification of the family.

Both northbound and southbound lanes of I-75 were closed through the morning. The span of I-75 Northbound, which caught on fire, will remain closed until investigators call it safe to drive on.

When the tank exploded, it shot fire in all directions causing several additional fires to a convenience store, a residential home and a playground.

It is not known at his time why the driver lost control of the vehicle.

The tank was carrying a full tank of a petroleum-based product.Source