BIENVILLE PARISH, LA – Police have identified the trucker who died when his tanker-truck hauling diesel struck a concrete bridge railing and caught fire.
The truck driver has been identified as 42-year-old Antonio Thornton. He died in the Dec. 29 crash that involved a truck drifting off the roadway, striking a concrete bridge railing, overturning, and catching fire.
Thornton was driving a Peterbilt 2012 tractor-trailer hauling diesel fuel. The crash happened at around 4 a.m. at mile marker 56 on westbound I-20 in Bienville Parish.
Investigators obtained a toxicology sample and submitted it for analysis.
The crash closed both east and westbound lanes on I-20. The eastbound lanes have been since opened. However, westbound I-20 remains closed. A detour route was established, as follows:
Westbound traffic will exit I-20 at milepost 61 and turn onto LA 154. From LA 154, traffic will turn right onto US Hwy 80 and continue westbound. Traffic can reenter I-20 at milepost 55.
Eastbound traffic will exit I-20 at milepost 55 and turn onto US 80 eastbound. Traffic will continue eastbound and turn left onto LA 154. Traffic can reenter I-20 at milepost 61.
“The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that I-20 westbound near the LA 154 interchange at Gibsland (Exit 61) in Bienville Parish remains closed following a crash involving an 18-wheeler that occurred early on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Crews are still on scene working to clear the area in order to reopen the interstate. DOTD will issue a notification when I-20 westbound has been reopened.”
After the closing of the lanes, one trooper who responded to the crash had to bail out from his car and jump behind a concrete wall after another semi-truck crashed into his car.
“While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state. Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving.” was in the official statement by Trooper First Class Brent Hardy.
