TROY (WWJ) I-75 remains closed this morning in Troy after a tanker truck exploded yesterday on the freeway.
The freeway is shut down southbound at Square Lake Road and northbound at Rochester Road.
The explosion happened at around 1:15 p.m. Monday when the tanker crashed into the median. Drivers were urged to avoid the area, as thick smoke plumed into the air.
"All I see is a huge, billowing black cloud, and it is massive," one witness said. "And everyone on the freeway right now is literally turning around and they're backing up and driving the other way to find another exit to get off."
I-75 has been closed in both directions in the area since yesterday, and inspectors from MDOT are continuing to investigate to determine the extent of the damage caused by the fire and explosion.
Drivers can use Woodward Avenue as an alternate route.
"But we don’t have to tell you that’s going to back up like it’s Dream Cruise Saturday real fast," Michigan State Police warned in a tweet. "It would be best if avoid that area completely and find a north/south roadway a bit farther away. I-75 could be closed for quite awhile as it may have buckled from the heat of the fire."
Seen on video released by police, the tanker truck crashed into the median wall before it blew up.
Troy Police Sgt. Jason Clarke said officers were able to hear the explosions from the police station on Big Beaver Rd.
"It was 13.000 gallons of diesel and fuel," he told WWJ's Sandra McNeill.
Troy police said the driver, a 46-year-old from St. Clair, Mich., was able to escape the truck with just minor injuries. Alliance EMS and Troy police arrived on-scene to render aid and investigate. The driver was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor burns.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash and no one else was hurt.
While the fire has been extinguished, cleanup is ongoing.
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) spokesman Rob Morosi said that once Hazmat crews clear the scene, inspectors will go in to to determine the extent of the damage to the freeway and median wall.
"Thousands of gallons of fuel burned; that's a very hot fire," Morosi said. "That's a lot of pavement, a lot of damage to the pavement. Obviously, it's going to have to be repaired. The question is the extent. Does it need to be completely replaced? Those are the things that we need to determine."
It's not clear what led to the crash. An investigation is ongoing.
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