Haymarket, VA : Driver suffers minor injuries in fiery crash on I-66 in Haymarket on Monday morning, July 18, 2016

A truck driver escaped serious injury Monday morning in a fiery tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 66 east in the Haymarket area.

The driver, identified as Jose E. Martinez, 50, of Brownsville, Texas, was traveling east, hauling tomatoes, when the truck ran off the left side of the interstate and struck a guardrail. The big rig then traveled approximately 1/10 of a mile against the guardrail before coming to a stop at the U.S. 15 overpass. The truck then burst into flames.

I-66 was shut down in both directions for about an hour as fire crews doused the flames and checked for hazardous materials.

Martinez suffered minor injuries, said state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller. He was charged with reckless driving, and police say fatigue was a contributor in the crash.

One eastbound lane of Monday afternoon, but the remaining lanes are expected to stay closed for at least five hours for cleanup and removal of the charred tractor-trailer.

State police advise motorists to seek alternate routes.

Source :
UPDATED: Driver suffers minor injuries in fiery crash on I-66