Eastover, N.C : Clayton man died after a fiery crash on I-95 in Cumberland County on Monday evening, July 18, 2016

A Clayton man died after he was airlifted to a burn center following a fiery crash on I-95 Monday evening, officials said.

The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. on I-95 in Cumberland County near the Exit 58 overpass, which is the Goldsboro Road/I-295 exit, located just northeast of Eastover.

According to witnesses, a 2013 Freightliner tractor-trailer with an enclosed trailer was traveling south on I-95, when it suddenly reduced speed and ran off the road to the right, said Lt. Jeff Gordon of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

The tractor-trailer traveled down an embankment, struck several trees, caught fire and became engulfed in flames, Gordon said in an email.

The driver of the vehicle, Gale Bernard Beasley, 61 of Clayton, “was able to exit the cab of the vehicle but suffered severe burns,” Gordon said. “Beasley was eventually life-flighted to the UNC Burn Center.”

On Tuesday, officials said Beasley died from his injuries.

Immediately after the crash, both south and northbound lanes of I-95 were both shut down for about 10-15 minutes as first responders prepared to airlift Beasley. Then, all northbound lanes were then reopened.

Source :
Clayton man severely burned in I-95 crash dies