UPDATE @ 5:56 p.m.: The driver of a pickup truck suffered burns to the right side of his body when the transmission exploded and caught fire on I-70 West near state Route 72 in Springfield.
The 42-year-old Illinois man suffered non-life-threatening injuries and has been taken to Miami Valley Hospital, said Sgt. Merrill Thompson, Springfield Post, Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The man told the state patrol that the truck came to rest against the guardrail off the left lane. The vehicle began experiencing trouble some distance before it stopped.
“Weird things happen with vehicles,” the sergeant said, cautioning that he’s no mechanic.
Parts of the transmission were found on the roadway, he said. “Something happened to the transmission where parts came off of it.”
Grass in the area of the vehicle caught fire in the aftermath of the incident.
The right lane on I-70 West has reopened and the other lanes are expected to reopen soon, Thompson said. The eastbound lanes are slow because of rubberneckers.
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One possible detour: Exit I-70 West at U.S. 40 and take it through the city of Springfield. Exit onto state Route 4 just west of the city to get back to I-70.
If you are nearer to the accident scene, exit the interstate at state Route 72 and get back onto the interstate at state Route 72.
INITIAL REPORT
A vehicle on I-70 West at state Route 72 in Springfield has exploded in flames and fire crews as well as medics are on the way.
The incident was dispatched just after 4:33 p.m. and we're hearing that a person believed to be in the vehicle was able to get out but may have suffered burns.
All westbound lanes of I-70 are shut down until further notice.
We have a crew on the way. We will update this report as we get information.
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