Gas tankers explode, shut down highway

Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000 | 6:24 a.m.

Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Alan Davidson said the 1:45 p.m. accident occurred when a tire blew out on a semi-truck being towed by another semi on southbound 95. The truck driver lost control, swerved and crashed into one of two gasoline tankers being pulled by another truck.

The fiery wreckage closed U.S. Highway 95 in both directions and snarled traffic for miles. Thick black smoke poured into the air over the city.

Four men, the two truck drivers and their passengers, were taken to University Medical Center. The 54-year-old driver of the truck that crashed into the tanker was in critical condition, a hospital spokeswoman said. His 41-year-old passenger was in fair condition.

The 52-year-old driver of the truck hauling the tankers and his 35-year-old passenger were in good condition.

The names of the injured were not released immediately.

The fuel from the tankers burned at the accident scene for more than an hour after the explosion.

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